# NTSB FTW90DPJ03: Piper PA36-400, N2331X, Temple, OK, March 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 22, 1990, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Temple, OK
- Coordinates: 34.269546, -98.229286 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2695&lon=-98.2293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DPJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DPJ03

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF AN AILERON ATTACHMENT (BOLT) DUE TO FATIGUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - flight control,aileron attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - flight control,aileron attachment - fatigue (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AG PILOT WAS SPRAYING WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND IT IMPACTED NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW, IN A FIELD. THE PILOT SAID HE HAD LOST AILERON CONTROL, AND DURING THE INVESTIGATION, A BOLT THAT HAD BEEN CONNECTING THE AILERON TORQUE TUBE TO A PLATE ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN FRACTURED DUE TO FATIGUE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2331X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2331X-1990-10-29), registration cancelled 1990-10-29, S/N 368202004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA36-400
- Registry model: [Piper PA-36-375](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-36-375) (registry code 7103620) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36-8202004
- Airframe hours: 737
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-720-DIC 400 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Andy Rylant, doing business as Aero Corp, Incorporated
- Registered owner: Aero Crop Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 3, 1989, 105 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,993 total, 3,369 in this make and model, 4,937 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAW

## 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 19900322005249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900322005249A), Mar 22, 1990: Piper PA36375, Temple, OK, Substantial damage. Lost aileron control while crop spraying. Crashed in nose and wing low altitude. Aileron torque tube bolt had failed

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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