# NTSB ATL90DKJ04: 67 Flying Dutchman D1/LFD-13, N1113D, Tuscaloosa, AL, May 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1990, 14:23 local (19:23 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Location: 33.2098° N, 87.5692° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tuscaloosa, AL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2098&lon=-87.5692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 21, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8087
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90DKJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8087/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90DKJ04

## Probable cause

MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL WHO PERFORMED AN IMPROPER MODIFICATION OF THE PROPELLER BLADE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - single engine aircraft
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS AT 2000 FEET WHEN A PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE AFTER THE ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN USING THE MAGNETO SWITCH. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED THAT THE BLADES HAD BEEN SHORTENED FROM THE TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET MINIMUM OF 71.5 IN TO 65 IN. ADDITIONALLY THE PROPELLER WAS NOT RATED FOR THE 125 HP ENGINE. ITS MAXIMUM RATED HP WAS 115. THE MODIFICATION WAS DONE BY UNKNOWN MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1113D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1113D-2012-06-04), registration cancelled 2012-06-04, S/N LFD-13, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 67 FLYING DUTCHMAN D1/LFD-13
- Registry model: [Flying Dutchman D-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/flying-dutchman-d-1) (registry code 05601K4) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: LFD-13
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: LYCOMING O290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard L. Chaffin
- Registered owner: Richard L Chaffin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: TCL, TUSCALOOSA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,200 total, 29 in this make and model, 1,200 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL

## 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 19900527019809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900527019809A), May 27, 1990: Amtrlz FLYDUTCHMAN, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Extreme vibration loosened cowling. Shut down. Crashed landing. Prop incorrect model for engine. Blade broke off.

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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