Incident Overview

Date: Friday 30 August 1957
Aircraft Type: Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer 1
Owner/operator: Kroonduif
Registration Number: JZ-PPX
Location: 13 km off Japen Island – ÿ Papua New Guinea
Phase of Flight: Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Component Affected: V-brace strutV-brace strut
Category: Accident
On September 6, 1957, a Twin Pioneer JZ-PPX aircraft experienced a loss of control and spiraled downwards into the sea during a local training flight. A right-hand turn resulted in the breakage of the right wing, leading to loss of control and subsequent sinking. The accident was attributed to fatigue, stemming from the shared design of the V-brace strut and liftstrut, and the high number of flight maneuvers performed by both aircraft. The manufacturer’s lifespan estimate for the V-brace was deemed unsuitable for the actual flight conditions.On September 6, 1957, a Twin Pioneer JZ-PPX aircraft experienced a loss of control and spiraled downwards into the sea during a local training flight. A right-hand turn resulted in the breakage of the right wing, leading to loss of control and subsequent sinking. The accident was attributed to fatigue, stemming from the shared design of the V-brace strut and liftstrut, and the high number of flight maneuvers performed by both aircraft. The manufacturer’s lifespan estimate for the V-brace was deemed unsuitable for the actual flight conditions.

Description

Twin Pioneer JZ-PPX took off from Mokmer at 09:30 for a local training flight. Takeoffs and landings were practiced and after some time the captain requested and received permission to carry out manoeuvres outside the circuit. During one of these manoeuvres, a right-hand turn, the right wing broke off. The aircraft lost control and spiralled down into the sea. The wreckage stayed afloat for a while and sank. PROBABLE CAUSE: “The Commission is of the opinion that, on the ground of the available evidence of the accident with the Twin Pioneer G-AOEO, the accident with the JZ-PPX has to be put down with to certainty nearing probability to the failure of the V-brace strut due to fatigue, because both aeroplanes were equipped with the same type of liftstrut and V-brace construction and because both aeroplanes were used in the same manner. The JZ-PPX carried out many instruction flights at a low altitude, many take-offs and landings, many manoeuvres with high flight loads, possibly up to the maximum loads. The G-AOEO also carried out many demonstration flights at a low altitude with man take-offs and landings, many manoeuvres, also with possibly maximum loads. The term of life of the V-brace as declared by the manufacturer, was based on conditions of flight which are not in agreement with the reality. During a meeting at September 6, 1957, Mr MacCallum of Scottish Aviation Ltd. gave a value of 4000hrs which raised a discussion. The Commission is aware of the fact that he cannot give a positive opinion upon the cause of the accident because there are no silent witnesses present, but nevertheless is of the opinion that there is a close conformity with the accident of the G-AOEO.”

Primary Cause

Fatigue of the V-brace strut due to repeated use and fatigue conditions.Fatigue of the V-brace strut due to repeated use and fatigue conditions.

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