# why a lead bar on an airplane **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 27, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052 "2013-06-27T19:52:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/1 "2013-06-27T19:52:10Z")
I assume this was from a plane flying overhead. > **[Lead bar falls from sky, crashes into Seattle family's home | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/27/us/seattle-lead-crashes-roof/index.html?hpt=hp_t3)** > > A lead bar fell from the sky, crashing through the roof of a Seattle home. Why would a plane have any use for a lead bar? I can think of no conceivable reason why a lead bar would be used anywhere near aircraft including as part of maintenence. Of course it could be from something else like a balloon or maybe a flying boat that needs ballast for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/2 "2013-06-27T20:00:01Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > I assume this was from a plane flying overhead. > > [http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/27/us/seattle-lead-crashes-roof/index.html?hpt=hp\_t3](http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/27/us/seattle-lead-crashes-roof/index.html?hpt=hp_t3) > > Why would a plane have any use for a lead bar? I can think of no conceivable reason why a lead bar would be used anywhere near aircraft including as part of maintenence. > > Of course it could be from something else like a balloon or maybe a flying boat that needs ballast for some reason. Odd shaped loads could require counterweights for trim? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/3 "2013-06-27T20:05:19Z")
They waited 2 days to call authorities? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/4 "2013-06-27T20:06:09Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > Of course it could be from something else like a balloon or maybe a flying boat that needs ballast for some reason. It could be weight added to the airframe to balance it about the CG. Airplanes from around/before WWII sometimes had external counterweights on their control surfaces. Nowadays they are internal, where they exist. ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/5 "2013-06-27T20:06:27Z")
Interesting. Just a note while the interested folks around here think about this, the volume of a 3 lb. bar is only around 8 in[sup]3[/sup] so it isn’t a big ass bar hurtling through the sky. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/6 "2013-06-27T20:18:43Z")
> [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > Interesting. Just a note while the interested folks around here think about this, the volume of a 3 lb. bar is only around 8 in[sup]3[/sup] so it isn’t a big ass bar hurtling through the sky. [Here is a counterweight](http://mightyrv.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/hs_elevators_mounted.jpg) on an RV-7. You can see it at the leading edge, sticking out. (It will be covered by the elevator tip.) More images [here](http://mightyrv.com/?cat=5). ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/7 "2013-06-27T20:19:02Z")
“The world will end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds…” ---
**Author:** ![RedSwinglineOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/8 "2013-06-27T20:33:18Z")
From > **[Lead bar falls from sky, crashes into Seattle family’s home | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2013/06/27/us/seattle-lead-crashes-roof/index.html?hpt=hp_t3)** > > A lead bar fell from the sky, crashing through the roof of a Seattle home. > [@](#): > > Luckily, no one was reported injured; the metal apparently did not bang any heads. Everyone’s a comedian. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/9 "2013-06-27T20:34:43Z")
[Trim Weights in Aircraft](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depeleted_uranium#Trim_weights_in_aircraft) Note that that links to an article on depleted uranium (which is considerably more dense than lead). It may be that some planes are using lead instead of DU. ---
**Author:** ![JerrySTL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e274bd/32.png) [@JerrySTL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerrySTL)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/10 "2013-06-27T21:18:35Z")
As others said, a counterweight probably for some flight control or a push-pull rod or cable system. Heck I worked on an aircraft (F-111) that use depleted uranium for counterweights. More mass which basically means more weight in a smaller package. Whoops. Just saw that Machine Elf beat me to it. ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/11 "2013-06-27T21:26:15Z")
Pic here: [http://www.ksat.com/news/Lead-bar-falls-from-sky-crashes-through-roof/-/478452/20734908/-/11sycge/-/index.html](http://www.ksat.com/news/Lead-bar-falls-from-sky-crashes-through-roof/-/478452/20734908/-/11sycge/-/index.html) Back of it available on Google Images, but don’t see on page itself. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/12 "2013-06-27T21:31:32Z")
> [@DataX](#): > > Pic here: > > [http://www.ksat.com/news/Lead-bar-falls-from-sky-crashes-through-roof/-/478452/20734908/-/11sycge/-/index.html](http://www.ksat.com/news/Lead-bar-falls-from-sky-crashes-through-roof/-/478452/20734908/-/11sycge/-/index.html) [RV-9A elevator counterweights](http://rv9a.pacificrimsound.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/dsc07085.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Fubaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@Fubaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fubaya)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/13 "2013-06-27T22:13:36Z")
[Story with front and back images](http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Mysterious-metal-bars-falls-from-the-sky-crashes-into-Seattle-home-213236311.html) Oddly, the story contains this gem: “Police called the Federal Aviation Administration, but the agency announced Thursday the object did not come from an aircraft.” I think someone misinterpreted whatever they may have said because it’s impossible to say it didn’t come from an aircraft. They probably actually said “we have no reports of any aircraft losing anything.” ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/14 "2013-06-27T22:18:20Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > They waited 2 days to call authorities? They probably wanted to tidy up before they had company over. I’m sure you know how that is. ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/15 "2013-06-27T22:31:52Z")
Word on the street is it is a tub grinder tooth… [http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/piece-mystery-metal-falls-sky-crashes-home/nYXhx/](http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/piece-mystery-metal-falls-sky-crashes-home/nYXhx/) [http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/10734650/Tub\_grinder\_tips.html](http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/10734650/Tub_grinder_tips.html) ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/16 "2013-06-27T22:35:05Z")
Not the first time this mistake has been made - another tub grinder tooth… [http://www.thelivingmoon.com/41pegasus/02files/Space\_Debris\_06.html](http://www.thelivingmoon.com/41pegasus/02files/Space_Debris_06.html) See about halfway down March 12, 2010 Now we know the real threat… ETA: and another one… > **[xenophilia.com](http://xenophilia.com/metal-falls-from-sky-crashes-into-nj-business/)** > > This domain may be for sale! ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/17 "2013-06-27T23:24:12Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > They waited 2 days to call authorities? And after waiting those two days they called 911. I don’t live in the US, but isn’t that number only for emergencies? Calling the local equivalent here (000) for a non-urgent matter would not make you at all popular with the authorities. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/18 "2013-06-28T00:33:22Z")
> [@MonkeyMensch](#): > > Interesting. Just a note while the interested folks around here think about this, the volume of a 3 lb. bar is only around 8 in[sup]3[/sup] so it isn’t a big ass bar hurtling through the sky. Is this based on the density of lead, I assume? ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/19 "2013-06-28T00:44:44Z")
The tub grinder thing certainly seems a strong possibility except for the statement that the piece is lead. I’m sure lead makes a poor grinding material ---
**Author:** ![DataX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@DataX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DataX)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2013, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052/20 "2013-06-28T00:51:20Z")
> [@Sigene](#): > > The tub grinder thing certainly seems a strong possibility except for the statement that the piece is lead. > > I’m sure lead makes a poor grinding material I’m pretty sure they didn’t test it - and are probably using “lead” as shorthand for heavy metal. At least that would be my guess. Is there an easy way to test for lead? Can a novice tell by looking at it? I don’t know the answers to either of those, but based on what I know about precious metals, my guess would be no. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-a-lead-bar-on-an-airplane/662052.md?page=2)