1992-07-18: Piper PA-25-260 — Air Aid, Inc. — Decker, IN

Casualties unknown • Decker, IN, US

Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT WING SPAR, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE/MODIFICATION, AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE.

— NTSB Determination

Accident narrative

PILOT STARTED PULL UP FOR REVERSAL TURN IN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. AIRPLANE CRASHED IN FIELD AND WAS CONSUMED BY POST CRASH FIRE. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED PREEXISTING FATIGUE CRACKS IN LOWER SPAR CAP OF THE RIGHT WING ORIGINATING FROM TWO MISDRILLED HOLES. AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE TO INSPECT FOR WING SPAR FATIGUE CRACKS HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1992-07-18 Piper PA-25-260 accident near Decker, IN?

PILOT STARTED PULL UP FOR REVERSAL TURN IN AERIAL APPLICATION MANEUVER. THE RIGHT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRPLANE. AIRPLANE CRASHED IN FIELD AND WAS CONSUMED BY POST CRASH FIRE. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED PREEXISTING FATIGUE CRACKS IN LOWER SPAR CAP OF THE RIGHT WING ORIGINATING FROM TWO MISDRILLED HOLES.…

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1992-07-18 involved a Piper PA-25-260, registration N4766Y, operated by Air Aid, Inc., at Decker, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT WING SPAR, IMPROPER MAINTENANCE/MODIFICATION, AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X15098. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…