Flight Instructor and Student reported the left wing tip departed the aircraft during training maneuvers. The Instructor discontinued training and returned to the departure airport for landing.
Synopsis
Flight Instructor and Student reported the left wing tip departed the aircraft during training maneuvers. The Instructor discontinued training and returned to the departure airport for landing.
Narrative
On a multi-engine training flight the left wingtip departed the aircraft during a steep turn to the right. Prior to the departure of the left wingtip I had just completed a steep turn to the left and had noted the aircraft was approximately 60 ft. high so as I rolled into the right turn I lowered the nose slightly. At that time I and the instructor felt what seemed like our own wake from the previous turn. However; after setting the bank for the next turn I looked out the left pilot window and saw that the left wing tip had departed the aircraft. I immediately knocked off the training and rolled wings level while the instructor in the right seat contacted approach and got us a vector direct back to the airport. I flew a straight in approach with no further issues. The aircraft did not demonstrate any significant performance issues; the controls felt slightly heavier in right turns but nothing that was not controllable. Since the aircraft was fully controllable we decided not to request priority handling. We continuously kept note of feasible landing areas on the way in and were prepared to declare if we needed to. Prior to maneuvers our clearing turns were made and no traffic or birds were seen in the airspace we were maneuvering in. Preflight showed no indications of any missing rivets or screws of the Wingtip prior to flight. On post flight; all of the screws/rivets were still in the top of the wing while all but two of the lower screws were missing. The wing showed no signs of a bird strike.
Second reporter narrative
While conducting training maneuvers; the left wing tip detached and fell from the aircraft. Straight and level flight was maintained and no further incident occurred upon returning and landing at the destination airport. Upon post flight inspection; not evidence of a bird strike or any other collision could be seen.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.