Communiqués

17 November 1998

Dragging operations, delayed because of the weather on 11 November 1998, resumed on Friday 13 November. More material from the aircraft, including personal effects, were recovered before the operation had to be cancelled on 15 November, again because of adverse weather conditions: winds were in excess of 35 knots. Operations resumed again late Monday 16 November. So far, approximately 80 per cent of the aircraft, by weight, has been recovered. The recovery operation will continue until the laser line scan operation begins.

The Canadian Coast Guard vessel "EARL GREY" came in on Monday afternoon to have the laser line scan equipment installed. This installation is expected to be completed today, and the laser line scan operation will begin on Wednesday 18 November, weather permitting. It is expected that the laser line scan could take up to four days to complete. The information will be used to give investigators a better idea of the extent of the debris field and to provide information to the dragging operation on which areas to concentrate the recovery operation.

The examination of wires and wire bundles is continuing as is the technical examination of other wreckage and components. Some of the recovered material that has been identified shows heat distress and comes from the upper portion of the forward fuselage.

The engines will go through an internal examination using a boroscope. Investigators will attempt to determine what level of power the engines were producing. A more extensive examination of the engines will be conducted if required.

TSB investigators continue their examination of the Swissair MD-11 fleet in Zurich, Switzerland. This includes a close examination of the forward section of the aircraft that will aid in the reconstruction of that portion of the fuselage.

The reconstruction jig has been installed in the operations hangar, and the reconstruction process is expected to begin later this week.

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