Piper J3C-65 N494CB
23 February 1989 · Mount Vernon, Texas, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 23 February 1989 at about 22:30 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N494CB was involved in an accident near Mount Vernon, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Mount Vernon, Texas, United States
- Coordinates
- 33.1705, -95.2207
- Aircraft
- Piper J3C-65
- Registration
- N494CB
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- FTW89FA055
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper J3C accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Dec 1989 | Piper J3C-65 | Lynch, Nebraska, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 5 Aug 1989 | Piper J3C-65 | Kodiak, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Apr 1989 | Piper J3C | Ashland, Nebraska, United States | Nelson, MAX M. | Fatal | 2 |
| 23 Sep 1988 | Piper J3C-65 | Coeur D'alene, Idaho, United States | Robert I. Dempster | No injuries | - |
| 1 Jun 1988 | Piper J3C | N Fort Myers, Florida, United States | Walker, David L | Fatal | 2 |
| 28 Jun 1988 | Piper J3C-65 | Whitsett, North Carolina, United States | William F. VIA | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Apr 1989 | Cessna 150 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 27 Apr 1989 | Mooney M20J | Jasper, Texas, United States | Stratton, William A. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1989 | Beechcraft V35B | Lampasas, Texas, United States | Phil P. O'neal | Serious injuries | - |
| 20 May 1989 | Piper PA-24-250 | Decatur, Texas, United States | Frazier, David R. | No injuries | - |
| 24 May 1989 | Beechcraft A36TC | Amarillo, Texas, United States | L.l.pownell | No injuries | - |
| 30 May 1989 | Piper PA-32R | Stratford, Texas, United States | Sherman Implement Co. | No injuries | - |