the steelcase material showed evidence of hot gas erosion caused by products flowing through the opening. section showed a whole approximately 33 by 21 inches. the burned surface extended into attached strut-- region. the exterior surface featured a large heat affected area. the shape and location of this spot indicates impingement of locating gases. there was a small burn through in the case wall that appeared to have penetrated from the outside in, due to the impingement of hot gases from the anomalous plume. rockete in the solid booster segments was a result of the joint leakage, determined to be the cause of the accident. presidential conclusion admitted that it was the failure of the pressure seal on the right socket motor. the failure was due to a faulty design, rendering it unacceptably vulnerable to a number of factors, including the effective temperature, physical dimensions, the character of materials, the effective reuse and processing and joint dynamic loading. more detailed analysis are contained in volume three in the report on the presidential commission of the space shutt