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June 24, 2020 · Thatcher CX4 No Series · N274DR

Upland, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 24, 2020
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Upland, CA
Aircraft
Thatcher CX4 No Series (2017)
Tail Number
N274DR
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR20LA193

The pilot reported that while returning to the airport after an uneventful flight, the propeller separated from the engine, which resulted in the windscreen and canopy being covered with oil and restricting forward visibility. The pilot continued toward the airport; however, as the airplane crossed the threshold of the runway, he noted that he was going way too fast as he was attempting to keep the airplane aligned with the runway. Subsequently, the airplane touched down near the departure end of the runway, bounced, and impacted the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The propeller assembly and a portion of the engine crankshaft was separated and not located. Examination of the remaining portion of the crankshaft revealed that two fractures initiated at the termination of a square keyway slot in the crankshaft. The presence of ratchet marks at the fracture origins and the presence of progressions marks along the fracture path were indicative of fatigue fracture initiation and growth.

NTSB Probable Cause

The inflight separation of the propeller assembly due to a fatigue fracture of the crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s restricted visibility during landing, which resulted in an excessive approach speed, a long landing, and subsequent impact with terrain.

Full Narrative

On June 24, 2020, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, a Thatcher CX4, N274DR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Cable Airport (CCB), Upland, California. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he was returning to CCB following an uneventful local flight when the propeller separated from the engine. He was about 1 mile from the airport at an altitude of about 1,100 ft above ground level (agl) at the time. The pilot said that oil covered the windscreen and canopy, restricting forward visibility; however, he continued to fly toward the airport. When the airplane crossed the threshold of the runway, it was about 50 ft agl, and “going way too fast,” as he was trying to look out to the side to keep the airplane aligned with the runway. The airplane touched down near the end of the runway and bounced. The airplane continued over a fence and collided with a dirt berm. Postaccident examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that both wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The propeller assembly and a portion of the engine crankshaft were separated and not located. The remaining portion of the crankshaft from the Hummel VW 2400CC engine was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for further examination. Examination of the crankshaft revealed that two fractures initiated at the termination of a square keyway slot in the crankshaft. The presence of ratchet marks at the fracture origins and the presence of progressions marks along the fracture path were indicative of fatigue fracture initiation and growth.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 PDT
Nearest AirportCABLE (0nm WSW)
Runway24
Runway Length3863 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftThatcher CX4 No Series
Tail NumberN274DR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsHummel · VW 2400CC · Reciprocating
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 80 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 5 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59
Altimeter29.86 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data