# NTSB CHI88FA226: Piper PA-23-160, N4049P, Toledo, OH, August 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1988, 12:36 local (16:36 UTC)
- Place: Toledo, OH
- Coordinates: 41.579185, -83.890403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5792&lon=-83.8904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13969
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88FA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13969/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88FA226

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FRACTURE, FOR REASONS UNDETERMINED, WHICH LEAD TO THE LOSS OF A PROPELLER BLADE FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE. THIS IN TURN LEAD TO THE MARGINAL CONTROLLABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - fatigue (cause)
  - emergency procedure - initiated, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING ILS APPROACHES AND RECEIVING VECTORS, THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ONE BLADE OF THE RIGHT PROPELLER. THE PILOT/FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE ENGINE; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE HUNG DOWN AND PREVENTED FULL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. WITH FULL POWER ON THE LEFT ENGINE, THE AIRCRAFT MADE A SLOW DECENDING TURN TO THE RIGHT UNTIL IMPACT WITH A UTILITY POLE, TREES, A VEHICLE AND THE TERRAIN. A POST IMPACT FIRE ERUPTED AND CONSUMED MOST OF THE FUSELAGE. ONE PERSON ON THE GROUND RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES FROM FALLING TREE LIMBS. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER HUB. FACTORS CONCERNING INITIATION OF THE FATIGUE FRACTURE WERE NOT POSSIBLE FROM PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4049P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4049P-2012-11-15), registration cancelled 2012-11-15, S/N 23-1526, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-23-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160) (registry code 7102304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23-1526
- Airframe hours: 4206
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Heyde Aviation Center, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1988, 88 hours before
- Departed: OH17, NAPOLEON, OH
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 1,164 total, 101 in this make and model, 1,070 as pilot in command, 295 in the last 90 days, 82 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOL, 7 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 19880830036279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880830036279A), Aug 30, 1988: Piper PA23160, Toledo, OH, Destroyed. Lost prop on right engine which tore loose and hung down out of control. Hit trees and autos. Prop hub fractured.

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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