Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the company maintenance personnal and the pilot to perform adequate inspections and the separation of flight control surfaces. A factor was the corroded rudder assembly.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
During agriculture operations the airplane suddenly became uncontrollable and impacted the ground. Witnesses at the accident site reported that the vertical stabilizer and rudder separated just before ground impact. The on scene investigation revealed that the aft fuselage longerons were severely corroded and that the separation occurred in the area of corrosion.
Source record
Factual narrative
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