# NTSB IAD04LA041: Piper PA-28R-180, N2330T, London, KY, August 20, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2004, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: London, KY - Coordinates: 37.086944, -84.077224 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0869&lon=-84.0772&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 59995 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD04LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59995/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD04LA041 ## Probable cause An undocumented, improper repair attempt, which subsequently resulted in fatigue cracking to the rib cap. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - wing,wing rib - fatigue - maintenance,recordkeeping - not performed, other maintenance personnel ## Analysis While the pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings in the recently-purchased airplane, he performed one landing that was "a pretty good jolt," but "not extraordinary." Following the flight, the pilot noticed damage to the left wing's upper skin. Further examination revealed that a portion of the left wing rib cap was fractured, and that there were two sets of double-drilled, overlapping rivet holes that matched up with holes partially drilled into a false spar. The false spar was covered with a green (preservative) paint, while the partially-drilled holes were not. The rib cap fracture surface exhibited fatigue cracking that did not extend into the overlapping rivet holes. A review of the airplane's maintenance logs revealed no evidence of repair to the affected area. The airplane, which was manufactured in 1971, had 5,529 hours of operating time. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2004, at 1730 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-180, N2330T, was substantially damaged while landing at London-Corbin Airport (LOZ), London, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings in the recently-purchased airplane. He described his second landing as a "pretty good jolt," but "not extraordinary." According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, during a post-flight inspection, the pilot noticed some wrinkles and a crack on the upper skin of the airplane's left wing. He decided to take the airplane to a maintenance facility to have an annual inspection performed, and to have the damage repaired. Maintenance facility personnel informed the pilot that they could not perform the types of repairs necessary, so the pilot requested a special airworthiness (ferry) permit from the FAA to fly the airplane to another facility. When FAA inspectors examined the airplane, they determined that the damage was substantial, and that a special airworthiness permit could not be issued. A further examination of the left wing revealed that the rivets attaching a false spar to a rib, outboard the wheel well, at station 69.24, were sheared, and that the rib cap was separated at the false spar attachment point. There were also some double-drilled, overlapping rivet holes present, that matched up with holes partially drilled into the false spar. A photograph of the affected area revealed that two holes in the false spar, as well as numerous rivets in the area, were covered with a green (preservative) paint; however, the partially drilled holes in the false spar were not. The separated rib cap piece was forwarded to the Safety Board Materials Laboratory. There, a visual examination confirmed two sets of overlapping rivet holes, and a "wavy" surface area between the holes. In addition, the fracture surface, which did not include the overlapping holes, exhibited fatigue cracking. A review of the airplane's maintenance logs did not reveal any repairs having been performed on the affected area. The airplane, which was manufactured in 1971, had 5,529 hours of operating time. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2330T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2330T), registered now, S/N 28R-7130010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28R-180 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180) (registry code 7102809) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7130010 - Airframe hours: 5529 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-B1E 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2003, 33 hours before - Departed: LOZ, London, KY - Airport: LOZ, London-Corbin Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 18 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC) - Wind: 210° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: LOZ ## 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 20040820021789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040820021789A), Aug 20, 2004: Piper PA28R180, London, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot/owner noticed damage on top skin of left wing following his local flight doing touch and go landings. He stated that at least one of the landings… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.