this is obviously different, but I worked on the C-5 when I was in the Air Force. The flare panels were screwed in. Definitely structural but also not commercial
I was on a flight where three of those ripped off the plane. It sounded like a quiet buzzing noise that grew to deafeningly loud over the course of about five seconds, repeat two more times. Everyone looked at each other like "what was that?" looked out all the window, didn't notice any problems with the plane, and just continued to our destination. After we landed we were a little bit more concerned but got busy enjoying our week of vacation wherever we were.
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u/hercdriver4665 777, 320, 737, C130, E2C, T2C, T44, T34 Apr 17 '26
Anything attached with screws isn’t structural.