# NTSB CHI82FA123: Mooney M20J, N3201P, Bird Island, MN, April 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1982, 15:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Bird Island, MN
- Coordinates: 44.759239, -94.889488 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7592&lon=-94.8895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI82FA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI82FA123

## 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 - fatigue (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly - vibration (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly - separation (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED THIEF RIVERS, MN AND PROCEEDED EN ROUTE TO NEW ULM, MN. ONE WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE HEARD A NOISE THAT SOUNDED TO HIM LIKE AN EXPLOSION. HE AND OTHER WITNESSES IN THE VICINITY SAW THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDING OUT OF CONTROL IN A ROLL OR A SPIN BEFORE IT CRASHED. ALSO, THEY SAW TWO OBJECTS FALLING FROM THE AIRCRAFT, ONE SMALL AND ONE LARGE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A PROPELLER BLADE, AND THEN THE ENGINE, HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT. THE PROPELLER BLADE WAS FOUND ABOUT TWO WEEKS LATER APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE LEFT OF THE FLIGHT PATH. AN EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE PROPELLER BLADE HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE CRACKING. THE FATIGUE ORIGINATED FROM A 1/16 INCH DEEP FORGING FOLD IN THE SURFACE OF THE BLADE NEAR THE BUTT END. THE PROPELLER, A MCCAULEY MODEL 90DHB-16E, HAD 340 HRS TOTAL FLIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3201P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3201P-1986-03-07), registration cancelled 1986-03-07, S/N 24-0568, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J
- Registry model: [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j) (registry code 5870219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 240568
- Airframe hours: 878
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: L. Myron Yarger
- Registered owner: L. Myron Yarger
- Departed: TVF, THIEF RIVER FAL, MN
- Destination: ULM, NEW ULM, MN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 985 total, 732 in this make and model, 947 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 113 °F

## 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 19820416012109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820416012109A), Apr 16, 1982: Mooney M20J, Bird Island, MN, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed out of control after prop blade failure occurred.

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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