The Accident
During a crop spraying operation, the pilot lost control of the airplane after the right wing separated from the aircraft in flight. The airplane subsequently crashed into an open field and was destroyed. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the accident was caused by the in-flight separation of the starboard wing. This separation resulted from a loss of structural strength due to extensive fatigue cracks in the lower centre wing wraparound and internal doublers inboard of station 142. The initiation and propagation of the cracks in the right wing to the point of failure were attributed to consistent overstress.
Structural Details
The fatigue cracks were located in the lower centre wing wraparound and internal doublers, components critical to the wing's structural integrity. The consistent overstress conditions over time led to the initiation and growth of these cracks until the wing could no longer sustain flight loads, resulting in its detachment.