Narrative:
The DC-3 crashed into a hillside after the in-flight separation of the right wing.
ASSIGNED CAUSE: "The accident was caused by in-flight separation of the starboard wing due to a loss of structural strength brought about by extensive fatigue cracks in the lower centre wing wraparound and internal doublers inboard of Sta. 142, initiation and propagation to failure of the RH wing cracks being due to consistent overstress."
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Friday 23 February 1973 |
| Time: | 15:55 |
| Type: |  Douglas DC-3F |
| Operator: | Southern Air Super |
| Registration: | ZK-AOI |
| MSN: | 34226/16966 |
| First flight: | 1945 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 24261 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney R-1830 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | Seddon ( New Zealand)
|
| Phase: | Maneuvering (MNV) |
| Nature: | Agricultural |
| Departure airport: | Blenheim-Woodbourne Airport (BHE/NZWB), New Zealand |
| Blenheim-Woodbourne Airport (BHE/NZWB), New Zealand |
The DC-3 crashed into a hillside after the in-flight separation of the right wing.
Probable Cause:
ASSIGNED CAUSE: "The accident was caused by in-flight separation of the starboard wing due to a loss of structural strength brought about by extensive fatigue cracks in the lower centre wing wraparound and internal doublers inboard of Sta. 142, initiation and propagation to failure of the RH wing cracks being due to consistent overstress."
Classification:
Wing failureLoss of control
Sources:
» Aircraft Accident Report No. 73-032 Douglas DC-3 ZK-AOI Seddon, Marlborough 23 February 1973Photos
Map
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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