spacetoday.net: CAIB believes foam impact "most probable" cause of accident

Posted: Wed, Jun 25, 2003, 11:11 AM ET (1511 GMT)
STS-107 patch (NASA)

Members of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board made their strongest statement to date Tuesday about the cause of the shuttle accident, saying foam impacting the leading edge of the left wing was the "most probable" cause of the accident. The foam impact scenario had been the leading hypothesis to explain the breach in the wing that allowed hot gas to enter the wing during reentry, but the board had previously been careful not to entirely exclude other scenarios. However, board member Roger Tetrault said there was now "compelling" evidence, ranging from video of foam hitting the order during launch to unusual damage to two leading edge panels from the left wing, to support the foam impact explanation. The board, which still plans to issue its final report in about one month, said it will recommend to NASA that it find ways to prevent large chunks of foam from falling off the external tank as well as strengthen the leading edge of the wing. CAIB chairman Harold Gehman said he believed that NASA will be able to implement the recommendations the board makes and return to flight in six to nine months.