Accident Overview
A Cessna Model 172 Skyhawk pilot returned to an airport and reported on the UNICOM radio that he was on downwind for a touch-and-go landing on runway 23. No further communication was received from the pilot. The airplane wreckage was located at 1655 by a landing pilot 0.3 of a mile south-southwest of the airport.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airframe revealed that the right wing was separated from its aft spar attachment point. Accordion crushing was present on the right wing beginning 8 feet outboard of the wing root and extending outboard to the wing tip. The left wing remained attached to its forward and aft wing spar attachment points. The leading edge of the wing was not damaged. Examination of the flight controls and the engine assembly and accessories revealed no anomalies.
Performance Data
Review of the Model 172 and Skyhawk Owner's Manual, Figure 5-2, Power Off Stalling Speeds, indicated that at a gross weight of 2,300 pounds with flaps up, the airplane will stall at 57 miles per hour (MPH) with 0 degrees of flap.