Warbird Information Exchange

WRECKAGE INFORMATION

The wreckage was located the same day, about 3/4 mile south of the beach, at a depth of 65 feet. Underwater video recording confirmed that all major components of the airplane were accounted for at the accident site; however, during recovery, the fuselage separated from the center wing section. The engine, cockpit and fuselage were recovered and examined on July 4, 2010. The engine remained attached to the fuselage and the cockpit area was crushed. Elevator, elevator trim, and rudder control cable continuity was confirmed from the cockpit area to broomstraw cable separations at the aft portion of the fuselage. The aileron control tubes had separated about the mid-cockpit area, at the "Y bar." The throttle and mixture controls were found mid-range, and the propeller control was full-forward. The fuel selector was positioned to the left main fuel tank.

The propeller remained attached to the engine. One propeller blade exhibited aft curling and chordwise scratches. The other propeller blade exhibited s-bending, leading edge gouges, and chordwise scratches. The top spark plugs were removed from the cylinders, except for the No. 3 top spark plug, which was missing. The spark plugs were light gray with some oil coating noted and their electrodes were intact. The propeller was rotated through 360 degrees. Compression was noted on the cylinders, with water emanating from them. Continuity was confirmed through the engine to the magneto drive shafts, and both magnetos remained attached to their respective drive shaft.

Portions of the wings and empennage were recovered on July 5, 2010. The wreckage was then examined again at a recovery facility on July 21, 2010. The right wing exhibited accordion type crushing on the leading edge of the wing. The right wing was separated from the center wing section and its skin was torn from the rivets. A section of the left wing was crushed and separated from the center wing section and a section of the left flap remained attached. The right flap and both ailerons were not recovered. The left and right wing fuel bladder tanks were breached. Examination of the landing gear revealed that both main gear remained attached to the center wing section, and were in the retracted position. The center wing section was buckled and exhibited damage consistent with overstress.

Examination of the empennage revealed that it had separated from the fuselage. The horizontal and vertical stabilizers remained attached. The right elevator remained attached to the horizontal stabilizer, and was buckled in various locations. The rudder and left elevator had separated from their respective stabilizers, and both exhibited damage consistent with overstress.