# NTSB ATL85IA132: Piper PA-32R-300, N46PC, Marion, AL, April 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1985, 06:40 local (12:40 UTC)
- Place: Marion, AL
- Coordinates: 32.630523, -87.31031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6305&lon=-87.3103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85IA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85IA132

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - failure,total
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - fatigue
  - maintenance,lubrication - not performed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,partial
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - vibration
- Forced landing, landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Analysis

CRUISING AT 4000 FT MSL WHEN ENGINE VIBRATION OCCURRED AND BECAME SEVERE. REDUCED THROTTE BUT ROUGHNESS PERSISTED. UNABLE TO MNTN ALTITUDE WITH 2000 RPM AND 25 INCHES MAP. MADE FORCED LDG IN CORN FIELD. NOSE LDG GR COLLAPSED. ENGINE CHECKED OUT OKAY. ONE PROPELLER PIN BROKEN DUE TO FATIGUE. OPPOSITE OUTER BEARING RACE RUSTED AND BROKEN WITH FATIGUE FRACTURE. LUBRICANT WAS DRY AND CAKED ON BEARINGS AND BEARING RACE. 34 HRS SINCE 100-HR INSPECTION. 1084 HOURS SINCE PROP OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46PC-1993-01-04), registration cancelled 1993-01-04, S/N 32R7680202 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32R-300
- Registry model: [Piper PA-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300) (registry code 7103213) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32R7680202
- Airframe hours: 3752
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Condor Aero Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 27, 1985, 34 hours before
- Departed: BHM, BIRMINGHAM, AL
- Destination: BFM, MOBILE, AL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: A09, Perry County, runway 16, 3,000 × 80 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,329 total, 65 in this make and model, 1,224 as pilot in command, 358 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CKL, 24 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).

- [Incident 19850412035949I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850412035949I), Apr 12, 1985: Piper PA32R300, Marion, AL, Minor damage. Severe vibration in flight. Partial power landing in field. Found lack of lubrication to bearings of propeller.

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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