As the investigation into last month’s wing separation on a Piper Arrow near Daytona Beach continues, the National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday issued an update that points to a number of wing fractures. The PA28R-201 was owned and operated by Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University as a Part 91 instructional aircraft at the time of the accident.
NTSB Uncovers Clues Related to Piper In-Flight Breakup
Key Takeaways:
- The NTSB investigation into the Piper Arrow wing separation near Daytona Beach revealed extensive metal fatigue in over 80 percent of the left wing's main spar, originating near an attachment bolt hole.
- Fatigue cracks were also found in the right wing of the accident aircraft and in a second, similar training Piper Arrow at the same critical spar attachment bolt hole location.
- The accident aircraft, operated by Embry-Riddle for flight instruction, had accumulated significant flight hours and cycles, prompting further inspections and research into a similar 1987 incident.
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