Metal fatigue blamed for fatal Swedish crash

Metal fatigue is cited as the cause of the October 26 crash of a Swedish Coast Guard EADS CASA C-212 that killed all four crewmen.

The Aviation Safety Network reports that during a fly-by of a Coast Guard station during a routine patrole mission, "the left wing ruptured near the fuselage and separated from the aircraft. The CASA then crashed into the canal and sank to a depth of abouth 6 metres. The ongoing technical investigation has revealed a major fatigue crack in the lower part of the wing primary structure. The fatigue crack, which on the wing outer side is covered by a doubler, has developed and grown under a long period."