# NTSB ATL82FA092: Piper PA-31-350, N123CB, Baconton, GA, April 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1982, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Baconton, GA
- Coordinates: 31.460494, -83.510101 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.4605&lon=-83.5101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA092

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,counterweight - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,major repair - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories - vibration (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - other (contributing factor)
  - maintenance - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
  - engine assembly - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - wheels up landing - intentional, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AS THE PILOT WAS DESCENDING FROM 7000 TO 5000 FT, HE HEARD A LOUD BANG, FOLLOWED BY A TEMPORARY VIBRATION AND A VIOLENT SWERVE TO THE RIGHT. HE LOOKED OUT THE RIGHT WINDOW AND THOUGHT THE RIGHT ENGINE HAD FALLEN OFF SINCE ALL HE COULD SEE WAS THE TOPS OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONTROLLABLE ONLY AFTER REDUCING THE LEFT ENGINE POWER TO IDLE. DURING A WHEELS UP/FORCED LANDING, THE PLANE TORE THROUGH A FENCE, SLID ACROSS A PAVED ROAD, WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT AND BEGAN BURNING AFTER IT CAME TO REST. THE PILOT RECEIVED A BACK INJURY AND HAD DIFFICULTY EGRESSING. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PROPELLER HUB HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE WHICH RESULTED IN BLADE SEPARATION AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEARAWAY. THE ENGINE HAD REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE AIRFRAME BY CABLES. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE HUB REVEALED THAT THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED AT A THREADED GREASE FITTING. GOUGING WAS VISIBLE ON THE INNER WALL. A SET OF INCORRECT COUNTERWEIGHTS WERE FOUND ON THE PROPELLER. THE COUNTERWEIGHT'S FUNCTION WAS TO REDUCE VIBRATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N123CB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-7752161
- Airframe hours: 1611
- Engines: LYCOMING 540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Aircraft Service Center
- Registered owner: Excelsior Leasing Corporation
- Departed: AUSTIN, TX
- Destination: TIFTON, GA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,344 total, 113 in this make and model, 5,177 as pilot in command, 146 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: 131 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY, 13 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820405008199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820405008199A), Apr 5, 1982: Piper PA31350, Baconton, GA, Destroyed. Blade from right prop separated from hub causing engine to tear loose. Pilot managed crash landing. Airplane burned

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.

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