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NTSB Report
February 23, 1989 · Piper J3C-65 · N494CB
Mount Vernon, TX
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 23, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Mount Vernon, TX
Aircraft
Piper J3C-65
Tail Number
N494CB
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW89FA055
THE OWNER/PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT WITH A POTENTIAL BUYER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING FOLD REARWARD AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCEND UNCONTROLLED. THE RIGHT WING FORWARD LIFT STRUT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER FUSELAGE ATTACHMENT CLEVIS BOLT. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE LIFT STRUT'S THREADED BARREL REVEALED THAT THE BOTTOM 1-1/4 INCH WAS MISSING MOST OF ITS THREADED CROWNS; AREA COVERED WITH CORROSION RESIDUES. TOP 3/4 INCH THREADS PARTIALLY DETERIORATED BY CORROSION. ENTIRE LENGTH OF BOLT HOLE DRY; LACKED LINSEED OIL COATING. OTHER STRUTS THREADED HOLES WET. AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REBUILT BY A&E AND A&I MECHANICS; ANNUAL SIGNED OFF DAY BEFORE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE MECHANICS WHO REBUILT THE AIRPLANE, IN THAT THEY FAILED TO DETECT AND/OR CORRECT THE CORRODED LIFT STRUT WHICH RESULTED IN WING FAILURE.
Full Narrative
THE OWNER/PILOT WAS CONDUCTING A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT WITH A POTENTIAL BUYER. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING FOLD REARWARD AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCEND UNCONTROLLED. THE RIGHT WING FORWARD LIFT STRUT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER FUSELAGE ATTACHMENT CLEVIS BOLT. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE LIFT STRUT'S THREADED BARREL REVEALED THAT THE BOTTOM 1-1/4 INCH WAS MISSING MOST OF ITS THREADED CROWNS; AREA COVERED WITH CORROSION RESIDUES. TOP 3/4 INCH THREADS PARTIALLY DETERIORATED BY CORROSION. ENTIRE LENGTH OF BOLT HOLE DRY; LACKED LINSEED OIL COATING. OTHER STRUTS THREADED HOLES WET. AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN REBUILT BY A&E AND A&I MECHANICS; ANNUAL SIGNED OFF DAY BEFORE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper J3C-65
Tail NumberN494CB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-8F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50 / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT