1989-07-08: Piper PA-25-235 — Goodway, AL

Casualties unknown • Goodway, AL, US

Probable cause

THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT WING WHICH FAILED BECAUSE OF A CORROSION INDUCED FATIGUE FRACTURE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE LEFT WING SEPARATED AND THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE TOP OF A HOUSE. EXAMINATION OF THE WING REVEALED A FATIGUE FRACTURE IN THE WING'S LOWER SPAR CAP. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE REVEALED THAT IT ORIGINATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A RIVET HOLE. INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS FOUND AT ONE OF THE HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE FRACTURE ORIGINS. THE OPPOSITE FRACTURE ORIGIN HAD BEEN MECHANICALLY MUTILATED. IN AUG 1977, ALL-METAL WINGS WERE INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE PER A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-07-08 Piper PA-25-235 accident near Goodway, AL?

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE LEFT WING SEPARATED AND THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE TOP OF A HOUSE. EXAMINATION OF THE WING REVEALED A FATIGUE FRACTURE IN THE WING'S LOWER SPAR CAP. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE REVEALED THAT IT ORIGINATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A RIVET HOLE. INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-07-08 involved a Piper PA-25-235, registration N6941Z, at Goodway, AL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT WING WHICH FAILED BECAUSE OF A CORROSION INDUCED FATIGUE FRACTURE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28710. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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