Plain English Meaning

A part of the airplane has been bent, broken, or damaged badly enough that it can no longer do its job safely. On landing, this usually means the gear, wheels, or the structure they attach to.

Full Definition

The breaking, bending, cracking, or permanent deformation of an aircraft component beyond its design limits, such that the part can no longer safely perform its intended function. In the context of landings, it typically refers to damage to the landing gear, tires, wheels, or supporting airframe structure caused by side loads imposed during a drifting or crabbed touchdown.

Context Anchor

In this chapter, the term appears in discussions of landing while the airplane is drifting sideways or still pointed partly across the runway.

Derivation

From Latin 'structura' (a building, arrangement of parts) and 'failure' (to fall short, give way). Together: the - arrangement of parts gives way. Helpful because it points to the issue being about the airframe itself, not a or engine problem.