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NTSB Report
September 21, 1991 · Piper PA-25-235 · N7509Z
Brewton, AL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Brewton, AL
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N7509Z
Operator
Wallace Flying Service
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL91LA178
THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME WHEN ONE OF THE TWO WING FRONT SPAR FITTING CLEVIS EARS FAILED. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT UNCOVERED CORROSION BETWEEN THE SECTIONS MAKING UP THE WELDED CLEVIS EAR. THE ACCUMULATION OF CORROSION IS ATTRIBUTED TO CHEMICAL SPRAYED FROM THE AIRPLANE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS NO INSPECTION PROCEDURE SPECIFIED FOR THIS AREA OF THE WING FITTING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NTSB ISSUED A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF CORROSION BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF CLEVIS MATERIAL.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT WING RESULTING FROM CORROSION OF THE WING FRONT SPAR FITTING ASSEMBLY. A FACTOR WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES.
Full Narrative
THE LEFT WING SEPARATED FROM THE AIRFRAME WHEN ONE OF THE TWO WING FRONT SPAR FITTING CLEVIS EARS FAILED. EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT UNCOVERED CORROSION BETWEEN THE SECTIONS MAKING UP THE WELDED CLEVIS EAR. THE ACCUMULATION OF CORROSION IS ATTRIBUTED TO CHEMICAL SPRAYED FROM THE AIRPLANE OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS NO INSPECTION PROCEDURE SPECIFIED FOR THIS AREA OF THE WING FITTING. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE NTSB ISSUED A RECOMMENDATION REQUESTING AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF CORROSION BETWEEN THE LAYERS OF CLEVIS MATERIAL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN7509Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWallace Flying Service
Operating RulePart 137
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540B2B5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC