Message #478

Date: May 19 2000 22:05:58 EDT
From: Ron Wanttaja <ikvamar@gte.net>
Subject: Wing Loss Due to Cable Failure


The initial NTSB report is up on the Jones wing failure:

http://www.ntsb.gov/aviation/NYC/00A134.htm

Note that they found snapped cables, not a failed spar plate like the
Hinton accident.  I talked to the NTSB investigator today, and he
verified that the cables, not the plate, had failed.  The aircraft had
the standard stranded cable.  One of the right forward cables broke, and
the turnbuckle of its companion cable broke.  It is unknown right now
which happened first.

The investigator didn't know anything about Fly Babies, so I pointed him
at my site.  I'll be taking some pictures of my own airplane and
emailing them to him, just so he can understand how the system works.

Ron Wanttaja