# Accident 20250327007819A: Piper PA-28-140, Waipahu, HI, March 27, 2025

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 27, 2025, 12:01 local time
- Place: Waipahu, HI
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 21.4121° N, 158.0339° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.4121&lon=-158.0339&mi=10
- Aircraft: N261FC, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N261FC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-28-140 (registry code 7102802, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,175 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC25LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA028) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250327007819A

## Narrative

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

FLIGHT WAS PART 91 INTRDUCTORY FLIGHT INSTRUCTION DEPARTED HNL AND PRECEDDED TO PRACTICE AREA.  DURING FLIGHT TO PRACTICE AREA, PILOT NOTICED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION COMING FROM THE ENGINE.  TERMINATED FLIGHT AND BEGAN FLIGHT BACK TO HNL. AIRCRAFT LOST POWER, PILOT DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND BEGAN LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LAND.  LANDED AIRCRAFT IN FIELD IMPACTED BRUSH AND SMALL TREES. MINOR INJURIES TO PILOT AND PASSENGER.

RECEIVED A REPORT THAT A PICE OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD CRASHED THROUGH THE ROOF IN THE AREA OF THE EVENT.  PIECE WAS FOUND TO BE THE PROPELLER STILL ATTACHED TO A PORTION OF PROPELLER MOUNTING FLANGE OF THE ENGINE CRANKSHAFT.FLANGE HAD FRACTURED BETWEEN HOLES IN THE FLANGE.  CRACK FACES APPEAR TO HAVE DEVELOPED OVER TIME.

## 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 ANC25LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA028), Mar 27, 2025: Piper PA-28-140 (N261FC), Royal Kunia, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: Improper alteration of the crankshaft propeller flange at an unknown time, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the propeller assembly.

## Other reports on N261FC (2)

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

- [Incident 20020413007389I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020413007389I), Apr 13, 2002: Piper PA28140 (N261FC), Honolulu, HI, Minor damage. (-23) On 04/13/02 during a training flight that was conducted under part 141. While on final approach everything appeared to be normal, but upon touchdown the…
- [Incident 20010608015459I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010608015459I), Jun 8, 2001: Piper PA28140 (N261FC), Kapolei, HI, Minor damage. (-23) The student pilot was on a solo flight and was practicing takeoffs and landings on runway 4L. The winds were reported as variable at 6 knots. While…

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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