Passengers on a New York-to-Miami flight Sunday were shocked to find a large piece of metal bent up on the wing of the aircraft.
It prompted a return to LaGuardia airport shortly after takeoff.
Nobody was injured on the flight.
A photo shows a gnarled piece of what appears to be sheet metal from an engine cover bent up on the right wing.
An American Airlines spokesman said the return to the airport was not classified as an “emergency landing,” but a “precaution because of a mechanical issue.”
(Source: WABC)
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that is the C-duct (section of the cowling that covers the fan and is in front of the thrust reversers) part of the engine nacelle that blew open.
the inboard and outboard sides of the duct are lated together at the bottom of the engine and obviously either they were not closed properly and the pilots missed it on their walk-around inspection, or the latrch failed (the former is more likely)
there is a very clear photo showinf the damage here
http://avherald.com/img/american_b738_n815nn_new%20york_20140427_1.jpg
(excuse the link to external sites)