# NTSB ATL90LA173: Cessna A188B, N8677G, Hertsboro, AL, September 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1990, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Hertsboro, AL
- Coordinates: 31.900421, -85.14907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9004&lon=-85.1491&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA173

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER BLADE WHICH RESULTED FROM IMPROPER OVERHAUL PROCEDURES, AND THE ABSENCE OF OIL IN THE PROPELLER HUB WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE DETECTION OF BLADE CRACKS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,lubrication - improper, unknown (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

DURING AERIAL APPLICATION ONE PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE DURING THE FORCED LANDING ROLL. EXAM OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED THAT A FATIGUE FRACTURE ORIGINATED AT A SCORE MARK IN THE HUB THREADS OF THE BLADE. DEPOSITS WERE FOUND IN THE FRACTURE ENRICHED BY CARBON & OXYGEN. GRAPHITE, THE LUBRICANT USED IN THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY, IS CARBON BASED. TESTING SHOWED THAT THE BLADE'S HARDNESS & TENSILE STRENGTH WAS BELOW MFG SPECIFICATIONS. THE SAFETY BOARD BELIEVES THAT THE FRACTURE WAS OPENED UP DURING THE LAST PROPELLER OVERHAUL, ABOUT 583 OPERATING HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ALSO, OIL REQUIRED IN THE HUB TO ALLOW EARLY DETECTION OF BLADE CRACKS WAS ABSENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8677G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8677G-2013-05-15), registration cancelled 2013-05-15, S/N 18801309T, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA A188B
- Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18801309T
- Airframe hours: 2701
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Aerial application, Part 137
- Operator: Gardner Flying Services
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1990, 5 hours before
- Departed: EUF, EAUFALA, AL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 12,150 total, 2,400 in this make and model, 12,025 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 50 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 19900920041749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900920041749A), Sep 20, 1990: Cessna A188B, Hurtsboro, AL, Substantial damage. Propeller blade separated in flight on a spray turn around. Force landed in trees.

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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