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NTSB Report
September 27, 1990 · Mooney M20E · N7197U
Morrison, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 27, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Morrison, IL
Aircraft
Mooney M20E
Tail Number
N7197U
Operator
Lloyd Crandall
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI90LA276
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT FAILURE OF A PROPELLER BLADE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S STATEMENT THE AIRPLANE STARTED A SEVERE VIBRATION AND REDUCING THE ENGINE POWER HAD NO EFFECT ON IT. THE VIBRATION STOPPED AFTER HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND RAISED THE NOSE IN ORDER TO STOP THE WINDMILLING PROPELLER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SLID INTO A DIRT BANK. EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE FAILED PROPELLER BLADE FRACTURE SURFACE SHOWED A FATIGUE CRACK EXTENDING FROM THE LEADING EDGE TO A POINT 3-1/4 INCHES MEASURED IN THE CHORDWISE DIRECTION. THE LEADING EDGE HAD BEEN REWORKED BY FILING OR GRINDING.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER MAINTENANCE OF THE PROPELLER BLADE BY UNKNOWN PERSONS AND THE SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE BLADE IN FATIGUE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. A FACTOR WAS: UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT FAILURE OF A PROPELLER BLADE DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S STATEMENT THE AIRPLANE STARTED A SEVERE VIBRATION AND REDUCING THE ENGINE POWER HAD NO EFFECT ON IT. THE VIBRATION STOPPED AFTER HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE AND RAISED THE NOSE IN ORDER TO STOP THE WINDMILLING PROPELLER. DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE SLID INTO A DIRT BANK. EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE FAILED PROPELLER BLADE FRACTURE SURFACE SHOWED A FATIGUE CRACK EXTENDING FROM THE LEADING EDGE TO A POINT 3-1/4 INCHES MEASURED IN THE CHORDWISE DIRECTION. THE LEADING EDGE HAD BEEN REWORKED BY FILING OR GRINDING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:45 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMooney M20E
Tail NumberN7197U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorLloyd Crandall
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 A1A · Reciprocating · 200
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC