# NTSB CHI95LA274: Cessna 188, N53376, Meade, KS, August 14, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 1995, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Meade, KS - Coordinates: 37.279582, -100.330505 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2796&lon=-100.3305&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9991 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA274 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9991/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA274 ## Probable cause a fatigue failure of the propeller blade, and inadequate maintenance inspection performed by the propeller shop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - aerial application - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause) - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that while he was pulling up out of a field and starting into a turn, he heard a loud bang and felt an abrupt reduction of power. During the emergency landing the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that the entire propeller assembly was missing and that it had broken off at the crankshaft flange. A propeller blade was found over a month later. An examination of the blade revealed that it had broken off at the blade root. The pilot reported that the propeller had been leaking oil. He had sent the propeller to a propeller shop to have it inspected for leaks and cracks. He reported that the propeller shop's examination found no cracks and replaced the seals. The pilot reported that the propeller was returned to service, but after seven hours of flight the propeller failed. A metallurgical laboratory reported that, 'the propeller failed with a transverse fracture in the threads at the base of the blade.' ## Factual narrative On August 14, 1995, at 1430 central daylight time, a Cessna 188, N53376, operated by Agricultural Aviation, Inc., sustained substantial damage when it nosed over on landing roll after a forced landing due to loss of engine power near Meade, Kansas. The commercial pilot reported minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 137 flight departed near Meade, Kansas, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that while he was pulling up out of a field and starting into a turn, he heard a loud bang and felt an abrupt reduction of power. The engine cowling came loose and departed the aircraft. During the emergency landing, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that the entire propeller assembly was missing and that it had broken off at the crankshaft flange. An inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration reported that a propeller blade was found over a month later in a farmer's field. He reported that an examination of the blade revealed that it had broken off at the blade root. He reported that all four engine mounts were broken, and that the loose engine had ripped the cowling loose and had punctured two holes in the oil pan. The pilot reported during a phone conversation that the propeller had been leaking oil. He had sent the propeller to a propeller shop to have it inspected for leaks and cracks. He reported that the propeller shop's examination found no cracks and replaced the seals. The pilot reported that the propeller was returned to service, but after seven hours of flight the propeller failed. He reported that the propeller failed at the base of the blade just above the threads. The pilot reported that he sent the propeller blade to a metallurgical laboratory for examination. The laboratory reported that, "the propeller had failed with a transverse fracture at the base of the blade. The fracture showed a bending fatigue pattern through about 40% of the cross section. The origin of the crack was in line with the leading edge of the propeller." The laboratory's report also stated that, "the fracture probably started with a high load that created the initial crack... ." (See attachment) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53376](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53376-2006-08-23), registration cancelled 2006-08-23, S/N 18801795T, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 188 - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1880179ST - Airframe hours: 6386 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Agricultural Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 1995, 23 hours before - Departed: MEJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 6,587 total, 458 in this make and model, 64 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °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 19950814024049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950814024049A), Aug 14, 1995: Cessna A188B, Meade, KS, Substantial damage. Loud bang on climbout. Cowling flew off. Nosed over landing. Lost prop blade. Unbalance broke off prop assembly. ## Other investigations on N53376 (1) 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 MKC77DCQ32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77DCQ32), Apr 19, 1977: Cessna 188 (N53376), Cawker City, KS, 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.