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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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NTSB Report

August 11, 2012 · Gn-1 Aircamper Mathes · N31TM

Burlington, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 11, 2012
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Burlington, WI
Aircraft
Gn-1 Aircamper Mathes
Tail Number
N31TM
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN12LA539

The pilot departed on a local flight during which the airplane experienced an in-flight separation of the propeller. The pilot then performed a forced landing to a field that resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the pilot installed the propeller bolts backwards. The bolts were also found to be improperly torqued.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper installation of the propeller bolts, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the propeller.

Full Narrative

On August 11, 2012, at 1600 central daylight time, a GN-1 Aircamper, N31TM, impacted terrain during a forced landing to a field near Burlington, Wisconsin, after the propeller with its bolts separated from the airplane during cruise flight. The certificated private pilot and a passenger received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan had not been filed for the local flight that departed from Burlington Municipal Airport, Burlington, Wisconsin, about 1500. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who examined the airplane, stated that the pilot shut down the engine two times when the he experienced an in-flight vibration during a local flight. The pilot then landed the airplane on a field. The propeller was found 500 yards from the airplane. The inspector stated that the pilot installed the propeller bolts backwards and they were not properly torqued. The tachometer time at the time of the accident was 607.9 hours. The FAA inspector gave the pilot two National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Accident/Incident Report forms when he met the pilot. The pilot was also sent an NTSB Accident/Incident Report form by the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge. An NTSB Accident/Incident Report was not received from the pilot.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGn-1 Aircamper Mathes
Tail NumberN31TM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85 · Reciprocating
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind10° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter29.96 inHg
Observation Time20:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data