# NTSB CHI91LA218: Piper PA-24-260, N8803P, Flint, MI, July 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1991, 13:47 local (17:47 UTC)
- Place: Flint, MI
- Location: 42.9655° N, 83.7447° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BISHOP INTL (FNT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9655&lon=-83.7447&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA218

## Probable cause

PROPELLER PITCH CHANGE MECHANISM SHEARED.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE POWERPLANT VIBRATION AND PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT NOT POSSIBLE.

## 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,pitch change mech - sheared (cause)
  - powerplant - vibration (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE BEING VECTORED ON FINAL APPROACH ABOUT 5 MILES OUT, THE AIRCRAFT DEVELOPED A SEVERE VIBRATION.  AN EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED AND A LANDING WAS ATTEMPTED ON THE AIRPORT.  THE AIRCRAFT LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.  POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED FAILURE OF THE PITCH CHANGE KNOBS ON ONE PROPELLER BLADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8803P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8803P), registered now, S/N 24-4258, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-260
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260) (registry code 7102406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-4286
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vernon C. Slater
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1990, 90 hours before
- Departed: APN, ALPENA, MI
- Airport: FNT, Bishop Int., runway 9, 7,199 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 342 total, 87 in this make and model, 224 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: FNT, 1 nm away

## Other investigations on N8803P (2)

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.

- [NTSB MKC68F0463](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68F0463), Dec 26, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N8803P), Cedar City, MO, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC68A0011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC68A0011), Aug 16, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N8803P), Grand Forks, ND, substantial damage

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.