On March 29, 1953, a Vickers Viking (registration VP-YEY) operated by Central African Airways - CAA was involved in an aviation accident near Mkwaya, Tanzania in flight. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The type of grease used when fitting press fit bolts to the booms had caused corrosion nodes, thus weakening the lower starboard boom at the outboard bolt hole. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A twin-engine aircraft disintegrated in mid-air and crashed near Mkwaya during poor weather with turbulence and strong winds, killing all 13 occupants. Investigation found corrosion from improper grease led to structural failure.
Accident Overview
A twin-engine aircraft broke apart in flight and crashed near Mkwaya while operating under poor weather conditions that included turbulence and strong winds. The accident resulted in the deaths of all 13 occupants on board.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the type of grease used during installation of press fit bolts to the aircraft's booms caused corrosion nodes to develop. These corrosion nodes weakened the lower starboard boom at the outboard bolt hole. Subsequently, a gust of wind induced a fracture of that boom outboard of Station 141, leading to the complete disintegration of the aircraft in flight.