What are the chances of a structural failure in a GA aircraft?

[Rally]

Just curious does anybody know what the chances of a structural failure (unprovoked) in a GA aircraft are? I am talking no aerobatics, storms, etc.

 

[CX880]

2% maybe

 

[Rally]

Every hour? Every 1000 hours? 2% what lol?

 

[stall022]

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/

search "structural failures"

40 "structural failures" since 2000

 

[BoilerUP]

If the airframe is properly maintained and not operated in an abusive manner (ie "unprovoked")?

Slim to none.

 

[spudskier]

^^^ As stated above... also what are the chances this is posted in the wrong forum? Try looking for a better web site all together... there must be a mechanic's forum, a specific aircraft type forum (I'm sure you have one in mind) there are always bonanza owner web sites, etc...

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Keep in mind that one can adhere to limits and fly within the envelope and still experience a structural failure. This can stem from a prior flight (or repeatedly) where the plane was indeed 'overloaded' structurally without incident, leading to subsequent failure during normal operations.

Good maintenance and a thorough preflight are paramount to safety.

 

[rickair7777]

Keep in mind that one can adhere to limits and fly within the envelope and still experience a structural failure. This can stem from a prior flight (or repeatedly) where the plane was indeed 'overloaded' structurally without incident, leading to subsequent failure during normal operations.

Good maintenance and a thorough preflight are paramount to safety.

If an airplane suffered previous structural abuse which would be enough to cause a catastrophic failure during subsequent normal flight, odds are really good that such damage would be detectable during a thorough preflight.

Long-term salt-air exposure could cause damage to the underlying structure which might not be visible on a preflight. But if you operate in such an environment, hopefully your annuals will pay special attention to corrosion....it doesn't happen overnight, takes years.

But even with prior damage, I think the vast majority of failures also have some aggravating factor...serious turbulence, aggressive maneuvering, aerobatics.

 

[Flyer1015]

The Zodiac aircraft is a perfect example. A kit aircraft, built perfectly by the manual, and yet, there have been many fatal accidents with an inflight breakup. The aircraft wing flutters, and undampened, leads to vibrations that fail the wing inflight. This is an engineering flaw of the airplane, and a recommendation has been put out to ground these until the problem is fixed.

 

[DX Jake]

I guess it just depends, is it coke or hash? How many bundles?