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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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May 24, 1985 · Mooney M20 · N853B

Hamilton, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Hamilton, TX
Aircraft
Mooney M20
Tail Number
N853B
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW85LA233

THE PLT STATED THE ACFT AND ENGINE ASSY HAD EXPERIENCED EXECSSIVE VIBRATIONS WHILE IN FLT FOLLOWED BY THE WINDSHIELD BEING COVERED WITH OIL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VIBRATION STARTED. THE PROPELLER ASSY HAD BECOME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE MOUNT AND SEPARATED AT IMPACT. ONLY ONE BOLT REMAINED ATTACHED AT IMPACT. METALLURGICAL EXAM INDICATED A LACK OF TORQUE WHICH ALLOWED VIBRATORY AND OTHER HIGH CYCLE STRESS TO BE FELT BY THE BOLTS THEREBY INITIATING AND PROPAGATING FATIQUE CRACKS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT STATED THE ACFT AND ENGINE ASSY HAD EXPERIENCED EXECSSIVE VIBRATIONS WHILE IN FLT FOLLOWED BY THE WINDSHIELD BEING COVERED WITH OIL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VIBRATION STARTED. THE PROPELLER ASSY HAD BECOME LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE MOUNT AND SEPARATED AT IMPACT. ONLY ONE BOLT REMAINED ATTACHED AT IMPACT. METALLURGICAL EXAM INDICATED A LACK OF TORQUE WHICH ALLOWED VIBRATORY AND OTHER HIGH CYCLE STRESS TO BE FELT BY THE BOLTS THEREBY INITIATING AND PROPAGATING FATIQUE CRACKS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:35 CDT
Nearest AirportHamilton Municipal (1nm S)
Runway35
Runway Length3545 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMooney M20
Tail NumberN853B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data