# NTSB ERA16LA295: Piper PA34, N16499, Hollywood, FL, August 19, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 19, 2016, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Hollywood, FL - Coordinates: 26.026666, -80.592781 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.0267&lon=-80.5928&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO, Hartzell Propeller Inc - ADs cited in the narratives: [AD 2008-13-28](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2008-13-28), [AD 2009-22-03](https://openairdocs.org/ad/2009-22-03) (OpenAirDocs) - NTSB case key (mKey): 93862 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA295 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93862/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93862 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA295 ## Probable cause Maintenance personnel’s failure to comply with an airworthiness directive for the propeller, which resulted in a propeller hub failure due to fatigue. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Maintenance: scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Maintenance personnel (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 320 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010/cases.md) - [Propeller system: propeller hub section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046114): Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046114/cases.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046114/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-34-200, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7103405), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis During an instructional flight in a multiengine airplane, the pilot receiving instruction had just completed a right turn at an altitude of 3,300 ft mean sea level when the flight instructor heard a loud noise and saw something separate from the right engine. The flight instructor took the controls but was unable to maintain altitude with one engine operating and performed a forced landing into a swamp. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the right engine had separated from its mounts, one propeller blade was missing, and the right propeller hub was fractured. Metallurgical examination of the propeller hub revealed a fatigue fracture along a grease-fitting hole. An airworthiness directive had been issued about 8 years before the accident that required initial (within 50 flight hours) and repetitive (every 100 flight hours) eddy current inspection of the area around the lubrication holes of the propeller hub blade sockets. The right propeller had been overhauled about 14 months before the accident and had accrued about 440 hours at the time of the accident. The airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection (which included inspection of both propellers) occurred about 3 months before the accident. Review of maintenance records did not reveal any documentation that the airworthiness directive was complied with on the overhauled right propeller hub. ## Factual narrative On August 19, 2016, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-34-200, N16499, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Hollywood, Florida. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were uninjured. The airplane was registered to and operated by American Flight Training LLC. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, which was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The flight departed from North Perry Airport (HWO), Hollywood Florida, about 1100.The purpose of the flight was to perform practice maneuvers in preparation for a multiengine instructor practical examination. According to the flight instructor, the pilot receiving instruction was at the controls and had just completed a right turn at an altitude of 3,300 feet mean sea level, when he heard a loud noise and observed something separate from the right engine. He took the controls and headed east toward the airport, when he noticed the airplane would not maintain altitude. According to the pilot receiving instruction, the right engine had partially separated from its mounts, and was angled downward. The instructor performed a forced landing to an area of tall sawgrass and shallow water. Examination of the wreckage at the scene by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right engine had separated from its mounts and was found about 75 feet in front of the airplane. One propeller blade was missing and the propeller hub was fractured. The left wing trailing edge and aileron were substantially damaged. The empennage was buckled on both sides near the mid-section attachment point. Metallurgical examination of the right engine propeller hub revealed a features consistent with a fatigue fracture along a grease-fitting hole (for more information, see Materials Laboratory Factual Report for this accident in the NTSB public docket). An FAA airworthiness directive (AD 2008-13-28) had been issued on July 2, 2008 (and was superseded by AD 2009-22-03 on November 12, 2009). The 2009 AD required initial (within 50 hours time in service) and repetitive (every 100 hours) eddy current inspection of the area around the lubrication holes of the propeller hub blade sockets. The AD resulted from four reports of propeller hub cracks and was applicable to the make and model accident propeller hub. Maintenance records revealed that the airplane's most recent 100-hour inspection (which included inspection of both propellers) occurred on May 27, 2016, at which time the propeller installed on the right engine had accrued a total of 7,100 hours, with 380 hours since overhaul on June 2, 2015. The airplane flew about 60 hours since that inspection. Review of the maintenance records did not reveal any documentation that AD 2008-13-28 (or 2009-22-03) had been complied with on the overhauled accident propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16499](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16499-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 34-7350132 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA34 (200) - Registry model: [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200) (registry code 7103405) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34-7350132 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 7160 - Engines: LYCOMING LIO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating; LYCOMING IO-360-C1E6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: American Flight Training LLC - Registered owner: American Flight Training LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 27, 2016, 61 hours before - Departed: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL - Destination: HWO, HOLLYWOOD, FL - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 51; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 2, 2015; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 10,995 total, 1,150 in this make and model, 9,300 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 89 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; age 22; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 22, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 429 total, 40 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 86 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KHWO, 19 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 20160819013359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160819013359A), Aug 19, 2016: Piper PA-34-200, Pembroke Pines, FL, Destroyed. Aircraft Piper PA-34-200, N16499 with flight instructor and student pilot departed hwo from runway 10R at 11:00 am and climb to 3300 feet to the west of hwo… ## Docket (9 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 20, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93862. 8.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469701&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 2, .PDF, 85 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469702&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - Excerpts from Maintenance Records (item 3, .PDF, 600 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469703&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF - FAA AD 2008-13-28 (item 4, .PDF, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469704&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20AD%202008-13-28-Master.PDF - FAA AD 2009-22-03 (item 5, .PDF, 146 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469705&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20AD%202009-22-03-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 6, .PDF, 3 photos, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-Master.PDF - Materials Laboratory Factual Report (item 7, .PDF, 15 photos, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469707&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Materials%20Laboratory%20Factual%20Report-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 8, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469708&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Master.PDF - Evidence Control Form (item 9, .PDF, 595 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469709&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Evidence%20Control%20Form-Master.PDF 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.