2 fatal · PIPER PA28R · 2018-04-04 · Daytona Beach, FL, USA
Event
NTSB number
ERA18FA120
Event ID
20180404X13226
Type
Accident
Date
2018-04-04
Location
Daytona Beach, FL, USA
Coordinates
29.158611, -81.084999
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
2
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
PIPER
Model
PA28R
Registration
N106ER
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
Extensive fatigue cracking in the left-wing main spar lower cap and doublers, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the left wing. The fatigue cracks initiated and grew to a critical size due to flight and ground loads associated with flight-training involving flight-training maneuvers, significant operation at low altitudes and frequent landing cycles. Previously established inspection criteria were insufficient to detect the fatigue crack before it grew to a critical size.