Cruisemaster 14-13
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 2000; Flight Crew Type 7
Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
While on final approach; the airplane was stable and trimmed; with full flaps; for the published approach speed of 80 MPH. On short final there was an audible 'bang' that seemed to have originated from the airframe. A brief glance out the side window revealed that the left flap had largely separated from the airplane; but was visibly dangling from the wing. After an otherwise uneventful landing; I inspected the damage and was able to see where the flap had torn away from the wooden wing spar at the location where the flap hinges are attached. It is my belief that I never exceeded the flap speed of 85 MPH from the time I lowered the flaps.
A single pilot reports an audible 'bang' was heard on short final in a Northern Cruisemaster B14A aircraft with full flaps and noticed the left flap had separated and was dangling from the wing trailing edge. Left flap had torn away from the wooden wing spar at the location where the flap hinges are attached.