What happened
On June 13, 2010, a Piper PA-28-181, registration N6076H, crashed approximately 6 miles west of Umpire, Arkansas. The flight originated from Helms/Sevier County Airport (DEQ) in De Queen, Arkansas, and was destined for Gaston's Resort Airstrip (3MO) in Lakeview, Arkansas.
Prior to departure, the pilot requested a weather briefing and noted that conditions appeared uncertain, stating a need to fly at 5,500 feet to clear 3,000-foot terrain. At the time of the accident, the weather was characterized by marginal visual meteorological conditions (MVFR) with an overcast ceiling of 3,000 feet.
At approximately 0930 central daylight time, the aircraft's left wing failed in flight, causing the airplane to impact the terrain. The crash resulted in 4 fatal injuries for the pilot and all three passengers on board.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the left wing had separated from the fuselage. The main spar had fractured outboard of the attachment points. Laboratory analysis of the wing spar ends revealed that the spar had fractured due to upward bending overstress, with the bottom cap failing in tension. No corrosion was found on the spar.
An examination of the aircraft's maintenance records revealed an entry from a September 2014 annual inspection noting a possible crack in a left wing bracket. Subsequent examination of the wreckage at a repair facility found that while the forward attachment bracket for the wing contained a nut and bolt, the nut and bolt for the aft attachment bracket were missing.
Post-accident examination of the engine and propeller revealed the crankshaft and camshaft were broken, and the propeller was separated from the crankshaft flange. No preimpact mechanical problems were identified during the examination of the aircraft.