# NTSB ATL86FA082: Beech A23, N3536R, Russellville, AL, February 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 27, 1986, 16:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Russellville, AL
- Coordinates: 34.499263, -87.719139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4993&lon=-87.7191&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 66-23-02](https://openairdocs.org/ad/66-23-02) (OpenAirDocs)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FA082

## 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,blade - failure,total (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

OUTBOARD HALF OF ONE PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ATTEMPT THE ACFT STRUCK TREES, SEVERING THE RIGHT WING, AND CRASHED INVERTED. FRONT OCCUPANT SEATS SEPARATED FROM SEAT TRACKS. EXAMINATION OF PROPELLER REVEALED FATIGUE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED FROM CORROSION PITTING UNDER THE PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED PROPELLER DECAL. FAA AD 66-23-02 DIRECTED REMOVAL OF THE DECAL, CLEANING OF THE PROPELLER BLADE, AND INSPECTION OF THE PROPELLER BLADE FOR CORROSION PITS. ACFT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ON APRIL 29, 1985.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3536R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3536R-2014-11-26), registration cancelled 2014-11-26, S/N M-694, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A23
- Registry model: [Beech A23](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a23) (registry code 1151204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-346 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-346-series) (registry code 17033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M694
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-346-A 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Leonard A. Segal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1985
- Departed: HSP, HOT SPRINGS, AR
- Destination: M22, RUSSELLVILLE, AL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 116 total, 38 in this make and model, 77 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MSL, 25 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 19860227003909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860227003909A), Feb 27, 1986: Beech A23, Russellville, AL, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Propeller blade separated in flight. Aircraft struck trees on forced landing. Evidence of severe engine vibration.

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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