# NTSB CHI92LA031: Cessna 310R, N35H, South St Paul, MN, November 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1991, 05:50 local (11:50 UTC)
- Place: South St Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.879882, -93.039115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8799&lon=-93.0391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15349
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15349/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA031

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE DESIGN OF THE PROPELLER HUB ASSEMBLY WHICH RESULTED IN METAL FATIGUE AND PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATION DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - fatigue
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - failure,total
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation

## Analysis

AS THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED THROUGH APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND AFTER TAKEOFF, TWO PROPELLER BLADES SEPARATED FROM THE RIGHT ENGINE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY, PENETRATING THE NOSE SECTION OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT SHUT DOWN THE RIGHT ENGINE, FEATHERED THE REMAINING PROPELLER BLADE YAND RETURNED TO LAND AT THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE BLADES FAILED DUE TO METAL FATIGUE. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN AND CRANKSHAFT COUNTERWEIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION/ANOMALY.  THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY HAD A TOTAL TIME OF ABOUT 3,229 HOURS, INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 295 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL AND INSTALLATION ON THE ACCIDENT AIRFRAME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35H-2012-10-04), registration cancelled 2012-10-04, S/N 310R0953, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310R
- Registry model: [Cessna 310R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310r) (registry code 2074245) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310R0953
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-520-M 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: New Creations, Inc
- Registered owner: F&V Aircraft Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 2, 2000
- Destination: DSM, DES MOINES, IA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: STP, Holman Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,337 total, 1,145 in this make and model, 3,266 as pilot in command, 185 in the last 90 days, 116 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 200° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STP, 1 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 19911122053409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911122053409A), Nov 22, 1991: Cessna 310R, St Paul, MN, Substantial damage. Lost 2 propeller blades off right engine on climbout. Secured engine. Landed safe. One blade tore thru nose section

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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