# NTSB ATL89DKJ06: Piper PA-25-235, N6941Z, Goodway, AL, July 8, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1989, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Goodway, AL
- Location: 31.3368° N, 87.4258° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Goodway, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3368&lon=-87.4258&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7836
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKJ06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7836/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKJ06

## Probable cause

THE IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF THE LEFT WING WHICH FAILED BECAUSE OF A CORROSION INDUCED FATIGUE FRACTURE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application
  - wing,spar - fatigue (cause)
  - wing,spar - failure,total (cause)
  - wing,spar - corroded (cause)

## Analysis

DURING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT, THE LEFT WING SEPARATED AND THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE TOP OF A HOUSE. EXAMINATION OF THE WING REVEALED A FATIGUE FRACTURE IN THE WING'S LOWER SPAR CAP. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE REVEALED THAT IT ORIGINATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A RIVET HOLE. INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS FOUND AT ONE OF THE HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE FRACTURE ORIGINS. THE OPPOSITE FRACTURE ORIGIN HAD BEEN MECHANICALLY MUTILATED. IN AUG 1977, ALL-METAL WINGS WERE INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE PER A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6941Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6941Z-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 25-2686, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-25-235
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25-235) (registry code 7102504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-2686
- Airframe hours: 8216
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B2B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Registered owner: Danny H. Booker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1989, 115 hours before
- Departed: NONE, GOODWAY, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890708021109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890708021109A), Jul 8, 1989: Piper PA25235, Goodway, AL, Destroyed. Front wing spar failed at attach point from fatigue cracking, aircraft lost a wing and struck a residence on fall.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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