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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 16, 1995 · Ryan Navion · N41151

Flagstaff, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 1995
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
Aircraft
Ryan Navion
Tail Number
N41151
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX95LA189

SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, A PROPELLER BLADE ROTATED TOWARD THE FEATHER POSITION. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND LANDED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY ON AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIRPLANE THEN ROLLED DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT A PITCH CHANGE CONTROL ROD END NUT BACKED OFF AND CONTACTED THE ENGINE CASE. THIS CONTACT CAUSED THE PITCH CHANGE CONTROL ROD TO FAIL, WHICH ALLOWED THE PROPELLER BLADE TO ROTATE. THE PILOT, A CERTIFICATED MECHANIC, INSTALLED THE PROPELLER ABOUT 4 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

NTSB Probable Cause

The owner/pilot improper installation of the propeller by failing to properly connect the pitch change mechanism.

Full Narrative

On May 16, 1995, at 1138 hours mountain standard time, a Ryan Navion, N41151, crashed about 1/4-mile southwest of the departure end of runway 21 at Pulliam Airport, Flagstaff, Arizona. The pilot was beginning a visual flight rules personal flight to Whiteman Airpark, Pacoima, California, with an intended fuel stop at Kingman Airport, Kingman, Arizona. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and his passenger, a certificated private pilot, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported in a telephone interview conducted on May 16, 1995, that the engine lost power shortly after the airplane lifted off the runway. The airplane landed on the edge of the runway and then rolled down the embankment. A pilot witness said in a telephone interview conducted on May 16, 1995, that he observed the airplane taking off while he was on final approach to runway 21. He said the airplane appeared to accelerate and lift-off normally; however, after the airplane lifted off, it appeared to decelerate when it reached 25 feet above the ground. The airplane landed on the side of the runway and then rolled down the embankment. The examination of the wreckage showed that one propeller blade had rotated about 90 degrees toward the feather position. During the removal of the propeller, the aircraft retriever discovered that one of the two pitch change rod end nuts was not fully tightened. The nut was on the control rod bolt about 3/16 of an inch. The engine case displayed the nut scrape marks and its associated propeller blade control rod was broken. The pilot told Safety Board investigators that the propeller was installed by Sunstate Propeller, Inc., Tampa, Florida. He sent a copy of a propeller logbook entry that he signed, but did not date, indicating Sunstate Propeller, Inc. (from now on called Sunstate Propeller), installed the propeller. Sunstate Propeller manager reported in a telephone interview and written statement that Sunstate Propeller did not install the propeller. He said that Sunstate Propeller sold the propeller to the pilot, a certificated aircraft mechanic with inspection authorization, and provided him with the necessary tools to install the propeller. He said that the pilot installed the propeller on or about May 12, 1995, at a facility in Lakeland, Florida. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Scottsdale [Arizona] Flight Standards District Office reported that the airframe logbook entry does not show that Sunstate Propeller installed the propeller. The pilot signed, but did not date, the entry.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:38 MST
Nearest AirportPulliam Airport (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length6999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRyan Navion
Tail NumberN41151
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · E-225 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:03
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data