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NTSB Report
August 30, 1989 · Piper PA-20 · N2841P
Moose Lake, MN
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Moose Lake, MN
Aircraft
Piper PA-20
Tail Number
N2841P
Operator
Prachar Kenneth M
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC89FA191
THE ACFT (PIPER PA-22, CONVERTED TO A PA-20, IAW STC SA45AM) WAS BEING USED TO PROVIDE A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW FOR THE OWNER/PLT (CONSIDERED AS PIC ON THIS FLT). DRG FLT, THE RGT WING FOLDED BACK OVER THE FUSELAGE & THE ACFT CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE FWD LIFT STRUT FOR THE RGT WING HAD FAILED IN AN AREA OF SEVERE CORROSION. THE FAILUREOCCURRED AT THE LOWER PART OF THE LIFT STRUT NEAR THE FUSELAGE ATTACHMENT POINT. AN EXAM OF THE ANNUAL INSPN CHECKLIST INDCD ALL APPLICABLE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES (AD'S) WERE COMPLIED WITH AS OF 7/21/89 & THAT THE LIFT STRUTS WERE VISUALLY INSPD AT THE ANNUAL INSPN. THE ACFT LOGBOOK SHOWED THAT AD 77-03-08 (REQUIRING MECHANICAL TESTING OF THE LIFT STRUT FOR EVIDENCE OF CORROSION AT 5 YR INTERVALS) HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH IN JULY 1988. THE AROMA OF LINSEED OIL WAS NOTED IN ALL LIFT STRUTS, BUT POLYMERIZED LINSEED OIL WAS FOUND IN THE RGT & LEFT REAR STRUTS. INTERNAL CORROSION HAD PERFORATED THE RGT FWD LIFT STRUT PRIOR TO ITS FAILURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
SEVERE CORROSION OF THE LOWER FORWARD LIFT STRUT FOR THE RIGHT WING, INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE LIFT STRUT BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE LIFT STRUT, WHICH RESULTED IN AN OVERLOAD FAILURE (FOLDING BACK) OF THE WING. RELATED FACTORS WERE: INADEQUATE INSPECTION PROCEDURES PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER & INADEQUATE SURVEILLANCE BY THE FAA.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT (PIPER PA-22, CONVERTED TO A PA-20, IAW STC SA45AM) WAS BEING USED TO PROVIDE A BIENNIAL FLT REVIEW FOR THE OWNER/PLT (CONSIDERED AS PIC ON THIS FLT). DRG FLT, THE RGT WING FOLDED BACK OVER THE FUSELAGE & THE ACFT CRASHED. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THE FWD LIFT STRUT FOR THE RGT WING HAD FAILED IN AN AREA OF SEVERE CORROSION. THE FAILUREOCCURRED AT THE LOWER PART OF THE LIFT STRUT NEAR THE FUSELAGE ATTACHMENT POINT. AN EXAM OF THE ANNUAL INSPN CHECKLIST INDCD ALL APPLICABLE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES (AD'S) WERE COMPLIED WITH AS OF 7/21/89 & THAT THE LIFT STRUTS WERE VISUALLY INSPD AT THE ANNUAL INSPN. THE ACFT LOGBOOK SHOWED THAT AD 77-03-08 (REQUIRING MECHANICAL TESTING OF THE LIFT STRUT FOR EVIDENCE OF CORROSION AT 5 YR INTERVALS) HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH IN JULY 1988. THE AROMA OF LINSEED OIL WAS NOTED IN ALL LIFT STRUTS, BUT POLYMERIZED LINSEED OIL WAS FOUND IN THE RGT & LEFT REAR STRUTS. INTERNAL CORROSION HAD PERFORATED THE RGT FWD LIFT STRUT PRIOR TO ITS FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-20
Tail NumberN2841P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorPrachar Kenneth M
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 19 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:50
Weather SourceWFAC