Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 7 October 1993
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-3C
Owner/operator: Tol Air Services
Registration Number: N781T
Location: San Juan –
ÿ Puerto Rico
Phase of Flight: Landing
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: Wing Rib (Number 19)Wing Rib (Number 19)
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
After an uneventful landing while taxiing, the Captain observed a section of the left wing was bent up. Examination revealed rib number 19 in the left wing failed mid-chord due to partial failure caused by corrosion and inadequate inspection of the aircraft by maintenance personnel.After an uneventful landing while taxiing, the Captain observed a section of the left wing was bent up. Examination revealed rib number 19 in the left wing failed mid-chord due to partial failure caused by corrosion and inadequate inspection of the aircraft by maintenance personnel.
Description
AFTER AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING WHILE TAXIING, THE CAPTAIN NOTICED THAT A SECTION OF THE LEFT WING WAS BENT UP. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT RIB NO. 19 IN THE LEFT WING FAILED CHORDWISE MIDPOINT BETWEEN A ROW OF RIVETS AND NUTPLATES ON THE LOWER ATTACH ANGLE DUE TO EXFOLIATION CORROSION. THE FAA APPROVED 50-HOUR INSPECTION REQUIRES VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ATTACH ANGLE AND BOLTS BUT DOES NOT REQUIRE REMOVAL OF THE WING TIP. Probable Cause: PARTIAL FAILURE OF A WING RIB DUE TO EXFOLIATION CORROSION AND INADEQUATE INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.
Primary Cause
Partial failure of a wing rib due to corrosion and inadequate inspection of the aircraft by company maintenance personnel.Partial failure of a wing rib due to corrosion and inadequate inspection of the aircraft by company maintenance personnel.Share on:
