1991-09-21: Piper PA-25-235 — Wallace Flying Service

1991-09-21: Piper PA-25-235 — Wallace Flying Service — Brewton, AL

Casualties unknown • Brewton, AL, US

Probable cause

THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT WING RESULTING FROM CORROSION OF THE WING FRONT SPAR FITTING ASSEMBLY. A FACTOR WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME WHEN ONE OF THE TWO WING FRONT SPAR FITTING CLEVIS EARS FAILED. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT UNCOVERED CORROSION BETWEEN THE SECTIONS MAKING UP THE WELDED CLEVIS EAR. THE ACCUMULATION OF CORROSION IS ATTRIBUTED TO CHEMICAL SPRAYED FROM THE AIRPLANE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS NO INSPECTION PROCEDURE SPECIFIED FOR THIS AREA OF THE WING FITTING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NTSB ISSUED A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF CORROSION BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF CLEVIS MATERIAL.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1991-09-21 Piper PA-25-235 accident near Brewton, AL?

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1991-09-21 involved a Piper PA-25-235, registration N7509Z, operated by Wallace Flying Service, at Brewton, AL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT WING RESULTING FROM CORROSION OF THE WING FRONT SPAR FITTING ASSEMBLY. A FACTOR WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.

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