# NTSB DEN86FA023: Beech A45, N422NM, Albuquerque, NM, November 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1985, 15:03 local (22:03 UTC)
- Place: Albuquerque, NM
- Location: 35.0845° N, 106.6511° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Albuquerque, NM, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0845&lon=-106.6511&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16793
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16793/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA023

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - propeller system/accessories - vibration (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING TO ENTER TRAFFIC AT ALAMEDA ARPT, THE PLT EXPERIENCED SEVERE ACFT VIBRATIONS. HE ATTEMPTED BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH THE ARPT DUE TO RAPID LOSS OF AIRSPEED ANDALTITUDE. THE ACFT CRASHED 1/2 MILE FROM THE LANDING RWY. THE ONE PAX AND A WITNESS INDICATED THAT THE ACFT STALLED 20-30 FT AGL. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FRACTURED PROPELLERPITCH ACTUATING PIN WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A RECENT IMPROPER OVERHAUL. THE HOLE IN WHICH THE PIN WAS INSTALLED WAS IMPROPERLY DRILLED, ALLOWING THE PIN TO BOTTOM OUT BEFORE TORQUE COULD BE APPLIED TO THE SHAFT. EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURED SURFACES BY METALLURGIAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS REVEALED A PROGRESSIVE TYPE OF FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N422NM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N422NM), registered now, S/N 52-8265 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A45
- Registry model: [Beech A45](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a45) (registry code 1152006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6-833
- Airframe hours: 6986
- Engines: CONTINENTAL I0-520 SERIES 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol, doing business as New Mexico Wing
- Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1985, 63 hours before
- Departed: ABQ, KIRKLAND AFB, NM
- Airport: Q64, Alameda

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 9,547 total, 39 in this make and model, 8,254 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABQ, 9 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 19851115057539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851115057539A), Nov 15, 1985: Beech A45, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. On prop overhaul, used wrong procedure to drill actuating pin hole. Pin broke. Bad vibration. Stalled on landing.

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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