Narrative:The Hunting Clan Vickers Viscount plane took off from London for a test flight following major overhaul. While flying at 1000 feet, some 10 minutes after takeoff, the right wing broke off and the aircraft crashed and caught fire.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "The accident was due to the elevator spring tab operating in the reversed sense. This involved the pilot in involuntary manoeuvres which overstressed the aircraft and caused the wing to break off. Work done to the spring tab mechanism during overhaul had been carried out incorrectly and the persons responsible for inspection failed to observe the faulty operation of the tab because they were neglectful in the performance of their duty."
Classification:
Wrong installation of parts
Wing failure
Loss of control
Photos
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.