Narrative:The Lockheed Learstar lost control in a thunderstorm. Both wings and the horizontal and vertical stabilizers separated in flight. The aircraft's gyro had rust and corrosion. Pilot in command was Carl Boy, one of the founders of Carolina Aircraft Corp.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE(S):
pilot in command - continued VFR flight into adverse weather conditions
pilot in command - exceeded designed stress limits of aircraft
miscellaneous acts,conditions - overload failure
weather - thunderstorm activity
weather - turbulence, associated with clouds and/or thunderstorms
miscellaneous acts,conditions - separation in flight
instruments/equipment and accessories - flight and navigation instruments: other
miscellaneous acts,conditions - corroded/corrosion
personnel - maintenance,servicing,inspection: inadequate maintenance and inspection
weather briefing - briefed by flight service personnel, by phone
weather forecast - forecast substantially correct
Classification:
Turbulence
VFR flight in IMC
Wing failure
Loss of control
Sources:
» NTSB
Photos
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.