Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA-28-140 near Amado, AZ — 2021-08-02

Final reportWPR21LA301
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Date
2021-08-02
Location
Amado, AZ, USA
Aircraft
PIPER PA-28-140
Registration
N44245
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The inflight separation of a section of a propeller blade due to a fatigue crack, which resulted in a forced landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that during the flight, the airplane suddenly started vibrating. After checking the magneto switch and looking over the instruments for any cylinder anomalies, he shut down the engine. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field during which the right wing impacted a tree. The airplane landed hard in a muddy field, collapsing the nose landing gear. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed a portion of the propeller blade had separated in flight. Examination of the propeller revealed that the propeller blade exhibited a fatigue crack that initiated near the trailing edge of the blade. Metal transfer from an alloy dissimilar to that of the blade’s material likely resulted from an object that impacted the blade face near the trailing edge. The red transfer marks on the blade were likely impact marks from contacting the engine cowling during the accident sequence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have landed in the nearby field instead of attempting to reach another field.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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