# NTSB ATL82LA098: Piper PA-23-170, N3016P, Tuscaloosa, AL, April 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1982, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Location: 33.2206° N, 87.6114° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at TUSCALOOSA NTL (TCL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2206&lon=-87.6114&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82LA098
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82LA098

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, standing - engine(s) operating
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - previous damage
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - fatigue
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN AND THE PROP FEATHERED AFTER A VIBRATION WAS FELT. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED TO ITS INTENDED DESTINATION. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE RIGHT PROP ROTATING WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, EVEN THOUGH THE CREW HAD FEATHERED IT. AFTER LANDING, THE A&P CERTIFICATED, AIRPLANE OWNER BEGAN TROUBLESHOOTING THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. ONE BLADE FROM THE RT PROP SEPARATED WITH THE ENGINE AT 2000 RPM, PENETRATING A HANGAR AND THE WINDSHIELD OF A PARKED AIRPLANE. A SERIES OF FATIGUE CRACKS ON THE HUB, ORIGINATING AT OR NEAR THE HUB SURFACE, WERE LOCATED NEAR THE HUB SPIDER. THE PROPELLER HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO A GROUND STRIKE 217 HOURS BEFORE THE FAILURE. IT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE AFTER INSPECTION AND OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3016P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3016P-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 23-925, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-170
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23) (registry code 7102302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-340-series) (registry code 41510, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-925
- Airframe hours: 4251
- Engines: LYCOMING O-340-A1A 170 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Richard B. Daseke
- Registered owner: Richard B. Daseke
- Departed: NASHVILLE, TN
- Destination: TUSCALOOSA, AL
- Airport: TCL, Tuscaloosa

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, unknown; flight hours: 2,500 total, 10 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 0 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 19820409050609I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820409050609I), Apr 9, 1982: Piper PA23, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Vibration right prop. After landing student mechanic restarted engine to check. Prop separated. Prior blade strike.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.