# NTSB ATL82FA163: Piper PA-23-160, N4072P, Atlanta, GA, June 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1982, 16:49 local (20:49 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.7490° N, 84.3880° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atlanta, GA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7490&lon=-84.3880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69833
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FA163
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69833/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FA163

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller system/accessories,prop blade retention - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,service bulletin/letter - not followed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - propeller system/accessories,feathering system - failure,partial (cause)
  - propeller feathering - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND SPARKS WERE OBSERVED COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RIGHT ENGINE. THE AIRCREW ATTEMPTED TO FEATHER THE RIGHT ENGINE, BUT IT WOULD NOT FEATHER. THEY WERE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND DESCENDED INTO TREES. AFTER STRIKING TREES, THE PLANE CAME TO REST ON THE ROOF OF A HOUSE. THE AIRCRAFT BURST INTO FLAMES ABOUT 5 TO 10 MIN AFTER THE CRASH. A POLICE OFFICER THAT HAD RESPONDED AND HAD CLIMBED ONTO THE ROOF WAS REPORTEDLY THROWN OFF BY AN EXPLOSION. HE RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. AN EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT ENGINE REVEALED THAT ONE BLADE OF THE MODEL HC-82XG PROPELLER DID NOT FEATHER AND WAS FREE TO MOVE. THE RETAINING CLAMP ON THIS BLADE WAS CRACKED AND HAD A PORTION MISSING. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED FROM HIGH CYCLE FATIGUE. HARTZELL PROPELLER SERVICE BULLETIN, NO 126, DATED 12/9/80, RECOMMENDED THAT THIS CLAMP (AN OLD MODEL) BE REPLACED BY A NEW IMPROVED TYPE. NO OTHER PREIMPACT FAILURES WERE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4072P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4072P-1983-04-29), registration cancelled 1983-04-29, S/N 231550, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1550
- Airframe hours: 5339
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mark Hewlett
- Registered owner: Transamerican Airways
- Departed: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: PDK, ATLANTA, GA
- Airport: PDK, Peachtree-Dekalb, runway 9, 3,378 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 271 total, 16 in this make and model, 205 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK

## 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 19820614022269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820614022269A), Jun 14, 1982: Piper PA23160, Atlanta, GA, Destroyed. Loud noise in right engine. Unable to feather due to broken prop blade clamp. Mushed into trees and a residence.

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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