# Accident 20120322003589A: Reich Gordon GLASTAR, Caldwell, ID, March 22, 2012

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 22, 2012, 10:45 local time
- Place: Caldwell, ID
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 43.6386° N, 116.6347° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6386&lon=-116.6347&mi=10
- Aircraft: N617G, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N617G) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Reich Gordon GLASTAR (registry code 05615SE, https://openairdocs.org/model/reich-gordon-glastar) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-360-B1A (registry code 41857, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-b1a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: REICH GORDON GLASTAR
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-360-B1A
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 13,322 total, 216 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR12LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA143) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120322003589A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF RUNWAY 12 AT EUL (CALDWELL, ID), DURING CLIMB OUT THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A SEVERE VIBRATION AT ABOUT 200 FT AGL. THE VIBRATION CAUSED THE COWLING TO COME OFF THE AIRCRAFT, OIL TO BE SPRAYED ONTO THE WINDSCREEN AND THE AIRCRAFT TO START ON FIRE WHILE IN THE AIR. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND PERFORMED A RELATIVELY NORMAL LANDING COMING TO REST JUST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE VIBRATION WAS CAUSED BY ONE OF THE TWO PROPELLER BLADES BREAKING FLUSH WITH THE HUB AND DEPARTING THE AIRCRAFT. THE SHANK OF THE BLADE STAYED IN THE PROPELLER HUB. THE VIBRATION CAUSED THE UPPER MOUNTING LUGS TO BREAK OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING 2 LARGE HOLES IN THE REAR OF THE CRANKCASE ALLOWING OIL TO BE SPRAYED ONTO THE AIRCRAFT AND WINDSCREEN. THE LOWER RIGHT MOUNT BOLT WAS MISSING. THE ENGINE WAS HELD ONTO THE AIRFRAME BY ONLY THE LOWER RIGHT ENGINE MOUNT BOLT. THE FUEL PUMP WAS BROKEN CAUSING FUEL TO ESCAPE AND SUBSEQUENTLY LIGHT ON FIRE.THE PROPELLER BLADE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 130 YARDS FROM THE END OF THE RUNWAY 12 AND 100 YARDS TO THE RIGHT OF THE CENTER LINE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 600 YARDS FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF RUNWAY 12.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR12LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA143), Mar 22, 2012: Reich Glastar (N617G), Caldwell, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of a propeller blade at the hub due to fatigue cracking.

## Other reports on N617G (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20230804020409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230804020409A), Aug 4, 2023: Reich Gordon GLASTAR (N617G), Idaho City, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft crashed due to unknown circumstances while Attempting to takeoff in the southwest bound Direction. The aircraft impacted two trees

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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