# NTSB CHI83IA209: Aero Commander 500B, N6178X, Youngstown, OH, May 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1983, 00:55 local (04:55 UTC)
- Place: Youngstown, OH
- Location: 41.0998° N, 80.6495° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Youngstown, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0998&lon=-80.6495&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): 12046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83IA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83IA209

## 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,hub - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation
  - engine assembly - vibration
  - electrical system,generator - overload
  - electrical system,generator - separation
  - propeller feathering - performed, pilot in command
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 5000 FT MSL, THE PLT HEARD A 'VERY LOUD BANG' & NOTED 'VERY MUCH VIBRATION FROM THE LEFT ENG.' HE SHUT DOWN & FEATHERED THE LEFT ENG & PROP. WHEN THE ENG STOPPED TURNING, HE NOTED 1 PROP BLADE WAS MISSING. THE ACFT WAS LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. AN EXAM REVEALED THAT A HARTZELL MODEL HC-A3VK-2 BLADE CLAMP, PN C-3, & A PILOT TUBE ON THE 3 BLADED PROP HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. ALSO, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE LOOSE & THE GENERATOR BROKE LOOSE & SEPARATED. ULTIMATELY, THE GENERATOR FELL ON A PARKED AUTOMOBILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6178X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AERO COMMANDER 500B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1014-35
- Airframe hours: 9741
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-B1A5 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Central Airlines Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1982, 631 hours before
- Departed: TET, TETERBORO, NJ
- Destination: CAK, CANTON-AKRON, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,000 total, 6,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Observed at: YNG

## 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 19830506041309I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830506041309I), May 6, 1983: Gulstm 500B, Youngstown, OH, Minor damage. Lost a propeller blade enroute. Impact tore out generator and engine cowl. A wing and door were damaged.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.