Accident Details
The externally braced high wing airplane impacted terrain following an in-flight separation of the left wing while maneuvering during a ferry flight. A witness reported that a post-impact ground fire engulfed the airplane in flames approximately 10 to 15 seconds after impact.
Witness Accounts
A witness who was an acquaintance of the pilot stated that the pilot was in the process of purchasing the airplane. According to the witness, the owner informed the pilot that the airplane had not flown in about four years and that the engine had not been started in about six months. The pilot flew the airplane for approximately 30 minutes and then parked it in a hangar. The witness reported that the pilot was aware the airplane did not have a current annual inspection. On the day of the accident, the pilot returned to fly the airplane to another airport for an annual inspection. The witness observed the airplane depart in the direction of the pilot's home. Another witness saw that a portion of the airplane's wing broke away during flight.
Inspection History
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 99-01-05 had been accomplished about four years prior to the accident. That AD contained a section requiring repetitive 12-calendar-month inspections of the wing's lift struts. The AD was issued to prevent in-flight separation of the wing from the airplane caused by corroded wing lift struts or cracked wing lift strut forks, which could result in loss of control.
Examination Findings
An on-scene examination of the wreckage revealed that the left wing's forward strut had separated about eight inches above its fork bolt. The inside of that strut was corroded. No other pre-impact anomalies were detected. No airplane logbook entry was found for the required special flight permit to ferry the airplane for its annual inspection.