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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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September 2, 2001 · De Havilland DHC-94 MOTH Minor · N9403

Farmington, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 2, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Farmington, PA
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-94 MOTH Minor
Tail Number
N9403
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC01LA221

During the decent from cruise altitude, the pilot heard a loud bang, and the airplane began to shutter violently. The pilot shut down the engine and slowed the airplane to stop the propeller from windmilling. A forced landing was then made to an up-sloping field. After the airplane touched down in the field, it encountered 1-foot high windrows, collapsing the main landing gear. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that about 22 inches of one of the wooden propeller blades was missing. The inspector observed that the remaining portions of the propeller were painted with black paint, and that the wood was dry and brittle. Dark spots were also visible in the areas of the separation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The in-flight separation of a propeller blade, which resulted in a forced landing to unsuitable terrain. A factor related to the accident was the plowed field.

Full Narrative

On September 2, 2001, about 1700 eastern daylight time, an experimental deHavilland DHC-94 Moth Minor, N9403, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Farmington, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, the airplane was being flown from Chicago, Illinois, to the Connellsville Airport (2G3), Connellsville, Pennsylvania. About 5 miles from 2G3, the pilot reduced power and began a decent. During the descent, the pilot heard a loud bang, and the airplane began to shutter violently. The pilot shut down the engine and slowed the airplane to stop the propeller from windmilling. A forced landing was then made to an up-sloping field. After the airplane touched down in the field, it encountered 1-foot high windrows. The right landing gear sheared from the fuselage and the airplane turned to the right. During the turn, the left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that about 22 inches of one of the wooden propeller blades was missing. The inspector observed that the remaining portions of the propeller were painted with black paint, and that the wood was dry and brittle. Dark spots were also visible in the areas of the separation. The airplane's last annual inspection was completed on May 25, 2001, and found to be "airworthy for flight operations" by a mechanic.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC-94 MOTH Minor
Tail NumberN9403
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsGypsy Minor · Minor Series · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time20:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data