# NTSB ATL82IA281: Piper PA-34-22OT, N220HB, Montgomery, AL, September 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1982, 09:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, AL
- Location: 32.3668° N, 86.3000° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Montgomery, AL, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3668&lon=-86.3000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71756
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82IA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71756/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82IA281

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - propeller system/accessories,counterweight - overtorque (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,counterweight - separation (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not corrected, manufacturer (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT A NORMAL RUNUP WAS COMPLETED BEFORE TAKEOFF. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT ACCELE- RATED THROUGH 75 KNOTS WHEN A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE LEFT SIDE. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AND A ROLLOUT ACCOMPLISHED. EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT ENGINE REVEALED THAT ONE OF THREE LEFT PROPELLER COUNTERWEIGHTS WERE MISSING. EACH COUNTERWEIGHT IS SECURED BY A SINGLE BOLT AND LOCKING NUT. EXAMINATION OF THE BOLT TUB REVEALED EVIDENCE OF PRE-LOAD STRESS. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED ON MARCH 03 1982, STATING THAT TO REDUCE PRE-LOAD STRESS ON THE COUNTERWEIGHT BOLT, THE TORQUE SPECIFICATION HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 105-100 FOOT POUNDS TO 65-60 TORQUE POUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N220HB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34-22OT
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34-8133270
- Airframe hours: 289
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Montgomery Aviation Corp.
- Registered owner: Montgomery Aviation Corp.
- Departed: MONTGOMERY, AL
- Destination: MONTGOMERY, AL
- Airport: Dannelly Field, runway 27, 9,000 × 0 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 16,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 14 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

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

- [Incident 19820915069519I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820915069519I), Sep 15, 1982: Piper PA34220T, Montgomery, AL, Minor damage. Lost left propeller counter weight on takeoff roll. Aborted takeoff. Bolts had been over torqued at factory.

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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