# NTSB FTW89FA055: Piper J3C-65, N494CB, Mount Vernon, TX, February 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1989, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Mount Vernon, TX
- Coordinates: 33.17052, -95.220672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1705&lon=-95.2207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22761
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22761/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89FA055

## 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.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - wing,bracing strut - corroded (cause)
  - wing,bracing strut - separation (cause)
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N494CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N494CB-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 18185 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18185
- Airframe hours: 2010
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-8F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Craig R. Bliss
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 22, 1989, 5 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total, 100 in this make and model, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890223002429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890223002429A), Feb 23, 1989: Piper J3C65, Mount Vernon, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Front lift strut failed in level flight. Wing folded causing crash. Had just been rebuilt and licensed day before.

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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