On October 23, 1988, a Piper PA-25-235 (registration N7229Z) operated by M & J Spray Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Glendale, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to a broken right wing lift strut, which was attributed to corrosion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A light aircraft crashed during an aerial application flight after the right wing lift strut failed due to severe corrosion, causing a loss of control and impact with terrain.
What happened
During an aerial application mission, the pilot experienced a sudden and uncommanded movement of the right wing. The wing initially moved upward before dropping sharply downward. This abrupt change in aerodynamic configuration caused the airplane to roll rapidly to the right. Unable to recover control, the aircraft collided with the terrain.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed a critical structural failure. The lift strut on the right wing was found broken. Detailed inspection of the fracture site showed clear evidence of corrosion along the break line. Furthermore, corrosion was noted throughout the airframe, indicating widespread degradation of the aircraft's structure.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary factor in the accident was the structural failure of the right wing lift strut. The root cause of this failure was identified as corrosion. The presence of corrosion at the break point and throughout the airframe suggests that maintenance issues or environmental exposure contributed to the loss of structural integrity. This mechanical failure led directly to the loss of control and subsequent impact with the ground.
Probable cause
The pilot's inability to maintain control of the airplane due to a broken right wing lift strut, which was attributed to corrosion.