# NTSB MIA84FA072: Piper PA-22-150, N8771D, Hoboken, GA, February 4, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1984, 18:16 local (23:16 UTC)
- Place: Hoboken, GA
- Location: 31.1805° N, 82.1309° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hoboken, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1805&lon=-82.1309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: AD 77-03-08 (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA072
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA072

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,bracing strut - corroded (cause)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,bracing strut - failure,total (cause)
  - wing - separation
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

WHILE ON BASE LEG FOR LANDING, THE FORWARD RIGHT WING STRUT FAILED CAUSING THE RIGHT WING TO SEPARATE. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT & CRASHED. THE NON-CERTIFICATED PLT OWNED THE ACFT. HE HAD NOT COMPLIED WITH AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 77-03-08. THE LAST ANNUAL MAINT INSP WAS PERFORMED ON 12-04-81. AD 77-03-08 REFERS TO DETECTION AND CORRECTION OF EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF WING LIFT STRUTS. METALLURGICAL ANALYSIS REVEALED THAT THE FORWARD LIFT STRUT TUBE WALL HAD BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED BY CORROSIVE ATTACK ON THE INTERIOR SURFACE. OTHER FAILURES OF THE WING WERE SECONDARY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8771D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-150
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 22-5958
- Airframe hours: 2792
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth Elmo Herrin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1981, 43 hours before
- Departed: AYS, WAYCROSS, GA
- Airport: Hoboken, runway 9, 1,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: AYS, 23 nm away

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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