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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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July 19, 1983 · Piper PA-23-250 · N54072

Youngstown, OH

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 1983
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (5 uninjured)
Location
Youngstown, OH
Aircraft
Piper PA-23-250
Tail Number
N54072
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI83FA324

DURING AN IFR FLT, THE ACFT WAS LEVELED AT 13,000 FT & THE POWER WAS SET AT 18 INCHES MANIFOLD PRESSURE & 2300 RPM. APRX 5 MIN LATER, THE RIGHT ENG BEGAN TO SURGE TO 3000 RPM & ALMOST 'PEGGED.' THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE RIGHT PROPELLER. FINALLY, THE RIGHT ENG WENT TO 2300 RPM & STABILIZED THERE. THE PLT INFORMED ATC & BEGAN AN IMMEDIATE DESCENT TO THE NEAREST ARPT. AT ABOUT 7000 FT, THE LEFT ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. AS THE LEFT ENG RPM DECREASED TO ABOUT 1500, THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS FEATHERED. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT ENG SURGED AGAIN & THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FEATHERED. AFTER DESCENDING BELOW THE OVERCAST, A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A BLACKBERRY PATCH & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE NUT THAT HELD THE RIGHT PROP, SPINNER BAFFLE HAD BACKED OFF. IT HAD WORN GROOVES IN THE AIRVALVE WHICH ALLOWED THE PRE-LOAD AIR PRESSURE IN THE HUB TO RELEASE. ALSO, THE PRE-LOAD AIR PRESSURE ON THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND AT 45 PSI, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 70 PSI.

Full Narrative

DURING AN IFR FLT, THE ACFT WAS LEVELED AT 13,000 FT & THE POWER WAS SET AT 18 INCHES MANIFOLD PRESSURE & 2300 RPM. APRX 5 MIN LATER, THE RIGHT ENG BEGAN TO SURGE TO 3000 RPM & ALMOST 'PEGGED.' THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE RIGHT PROPELLER. FINALLY, THE RIGHT ENG WENT TO 2300 RPM & STABILIZED THERE. THE PLT INFORMED ATC & BEGAN AN IMMEDIATE DESCENT TO THE NEAREST ARPT. AT ABOUT 7000 FT, THE LEFT ENG BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH & PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. AS THE LEFT ENG RPM DECREASED TO ABOUT 1500, THE LEFT PROPELLER WAS FEATHERED. AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT ENG SURGED AGAIN & THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FEATHERED. AFTER DESCENDING BELOW THE OVERCAST, A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A BLACKBERRY PATCH & THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM REVEALED THE NUT THAT HELD THE RIGHT PROP, SPINNER BAFFLE HAD BACKED OFF. IT HAD WORN GROOVES IN THE AIRVALVE WHICH ALLOWED THE PRE-LOAD AIR PRESSURE IN THE HUB TO RELEASE. ALSO, THE PRE-LOAD AIR PRESSURE ON THE LEFT PROP WAS FOUND AT 45 PSI, BUT SHOULD HAVE BEEN 70 PSI.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:36 EDT
Nearest Airport3nm WSW
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-23-250
Tail NumberN54072
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-C4B5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats7

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (5 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured5
Total5
Crew 1Age 57 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 5 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data