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NTSB Report
August 30, 1988 · Piper PA-23-160 · N4049P
Toledo, OH
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 30, 1988
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Toledo, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-160
Tail Number
N4049P
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI88FA226
WHILE PRACTICING ILS APPROACHES AND RECEIVING VECTORS, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ONE BLADE OF THE RIGHT PROPELLER. THE PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE HUNG DOWN AND PREVENTED FULL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. WITH FULL POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE, THE AIRCRAFT MADE A SLOW DECENDING TURN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IMPACT WITH A UTILITY POLE, TREES, A VEHICLE AND THE TERRAIN. A POST IMPACT FIRE ERUPTED AND CONSUMED MOST OF THE FUSELAGE. ONE PERSON ON THE GROUND RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES FROM FALLING TREE LIMBS. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER HUB. FACTORS CONCERNING INITIATION OF THE FATIGUE FRACTURE WERE NOT POSSIBLE FROM PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FOUND.
NTSB Probable Cause
FATIGUE FRACTURE, FOR REASONS UNDETERMINED, WHICH LEAD TO THE LOSS OF A PROPELLER BLADE FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE. THIS IN TURN LEAD TO THE MARGINAL CONTROLLABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT.
Full Narrative
WHILE PRACTICING ILS APPROACHES AND RECEIVING VECTORS, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ONE BLADE OF THE RIGHT PROPELLER. THE PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE HUNG DOWN AND PREVENTED FULL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. WITH FULL POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE, THE AIRCRAFT MADE A SLOW DECENDING TURN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IMPACT WITH A UTILITY POLE, TREES, A VEHICLE AND THE TERRAIN. A POST IMPACT FIRE ERUPTED AND CONSUMED MOST OF THE FUSELAGE. ONE PERSON ON THE GROUND RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES FROM FALLING TREE LIMBS. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER HUB. FACTORS CONCERNING INITIATION OF THE FATIGUE FRACTURE WERE NOT POSSIBLE FROM PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FOUND.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:36 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-23-160
Tail NumberN4049P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B1A · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 26 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC