It Fell Off The Plane... Somewhere

If you're flying over Lake Michigan anytime soon and you spot an engine fit for a Boeing 747 lying around, please call Kalitta Air. They'd like it back.

The cargo flight originated in Hong Kong and flew to the US carrying what was described in media reports as a load of general merchandise. The aircraft refueled in Russia and again in Alaska before arriving at Chicago's O'Hare last week. Then, on a leg from O'Hare to JFK in New York, the crew reported engine trouble shortly after departure.

The 747 was diverted to Detroit Metro where it landed safely. That's when the source of the engine problems was discovered. There was no number one engine.

The search for the missing nacelle has been focused on a two-square mile area of the lake, after computer and radar projections were used to get a fix. Executives at Kalitta Air, based in Ypsilanti (MI) wouldn't say anything further about the nature of the problem.

FAA Preliminary Accident Report

IDENTIFICATION
 Regis#: 709CK    Make/Model: B747   Description: B-747
 Date: 10/20/2004   Time: 0245

 Event Type: Accident  Highest Injury: None   Mid Air: N  Missing: N
 Damage: Substantial

LOCATION
 City: DETROIT           State: MI  Country: US

DESCRIPTION
 KALITTA AIR, CK825, B747 ACFT DIVERTED TO DETROIT AFTER REPORTING A LOSS OF
 NUMBER ONE ENGINE, WHILE ENROUTE FROM CHICAGO O'HARE AIRPORT TO NEW YORK
 KENNEDY AIRPORT, ACFT LANDED WITHOUT INCIDENT, DETROIT, MI

INJURY DATA   Total Fatal:  0
         # Crew:  0  Fat:  0   Ser:  0   Min:  0   Unk:  Y
         # Pass:   0  Fat:  0   Ser:  0   Min:  0   Unk:  0
         # Grnd:       Fat:  0   Ser:  0   Min:  0   Unk: 

WEATHER: NOT REPORTED                               

OTHER DATA
 Activity: Unknown   Phase: Cruise   Operation: Air Carrier

 Departed: CHICAGO, IL         Dep Date:  Dep. Time:  
 Destination: NEW YORK, NY       Flt Plan: IFR     Wx Briefing: U
 Last Radio Cont: UNK
 Last Clearance: CLRD TO LAND

 FAA FSDO: DETROIT, MI (GL23)          Entry date: 10/21/2004

FMI: http://www.kalittaair.com, www.ntsb.gov