[wordup] Boeing Customer Service gets some interesting problems to solve

[Adam Shand]

nothing to inspirational, but it's kinda interesting :)

Submitted by: Herr ToddoT Nagengast <todd at gnosh.net>
From: The Airline List <AIRLINE at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU>,

14 JUN 01
ATA 2520-00   MODEL 777
LARGE PASSENGER TRANSPORT - SUMO WRESTLER

Ref /A/ message states that Continental will be transporting a sumo
wrestler from Japan to Newark on a 777.  He weighs 590 lbs and his
physical measurements are; bust and waist each 190 cm (75") and height is
200cm (6'6").  Basically CAL needs to know whether the 777 floor
(including the Lav.) can withstand his weight.  They believe he is going
to end up sitting in the back taking three coach seats.  He is probably
going to enter the aircraft from the front and either walk or be hauled
(using a wheel chair) to his seats in the back.  CAL contacted Japan
Airline and they indicate that they carry sumo wrestlers all the time on
their 747s without any floor re-enforcement.

Ref /A/ message requests to know what particular measure/precautions, if
any, are needed as far as cabin floor or lavatory floor is concerned. Any
limitations/restrictions... etc.?

Response:

Unlike the 747-400, the 777 floor panel edges are offset from the floor
structure, the edges of the floor panels are connected with splice plates.
To minimize the potential for damage, CAL could load the passenger through
Door 2 Left to reduce the walking distance to the seat.  This location was
chosen due to closeness of the entry door, economy seat section and also
lavatory location.  We do not recommend usage of a wheel chair.  Use of a
wheel chair may damage the floor panels.  We recommend that the wrestler
wear soft-soled shoes and walk slowly and gently.  Boeing performed an
analysis on a 590 pound (1G) step load.  There is a small margin of safety
against the ultimate bending strength.  Temporary floor panel
reinforcement could be used during passenger loading and unloading in
order to increase this margin of safety.  We do not recommend leaving the
temporary reinforcement in place during flight, unless it can be properly
secured, and proven to meet all applicable flammability regulations.

Because of size constraints, we recommend that the passenger use a
handicap Lav. which has a wider door width of approximately 23 inches.
Once inside the handicap Lav., the passenger can maneuver since it is
designed for a wheel chair to turn around in.  The other lavatories will
have a door width of approximately 21 inches.  CAL airplanes have the
handicap Lav's located aft of Door 2 Left.

Note:  The toilet seat is designed for 500 lbs static abuse load.

We recommend locating the passenger in the front of the economy class
section near the left handicap Lav. for convenience.

We recommend that CAL remove the first left side row of the economy seat
to allow the passenger to sit on the second row.  The front row economy
seat arms can not be stowed.  Removal of the forward row of economy class
seats is recommended to help meet running shear requirements of the floor
structure, as well as to provide comfort for the wrestler. We have
calculated interface loads for a single occupant of 590 lbs located at the
center of a standard economy class center triple seat. These loads are
acceptable to the seat tracks and floor structure. However, we recommend
that CAL contact the seat supplier, Koito, to see if the triple economy
class seat structure can accommodate a 590 LB passenger.

Please advise if further assistance is required.

Boeing Service Engineering