# NTSB FTW02LA242: Whittman Tailwind W-8, N3992A, Albuquerque, NM, August 27, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 27, 2002, 09:40 local (15:40 UTC) - Place: Albuquerque, NM - Coordinates: 35.14722, -106.907775 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1472&lon=-106.9078&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55572 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA242 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55572/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA242 ## Probable cause The structural failure and separation of a propeller blade for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain available to the pilot to execute a forced landing. ## 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,blade - failure (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - rough/uneven - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The pilot reported to the FAA inspector that the flight was being conducted to evaluate a recently installed ground adjustable propeller. After maneuvering for a short time, the pilot and his passenger decided to return to the airport to readjust the propeller pitch in order to improve the climb capabilities of the aircraft. While returning to the airport, the engine developed "a sudden and violent vibration," and the pilot immediately decided to shut down the engine. After the propeller stopped rotating, the pilot observed that one of the three propeller blades had separated from the hub. A forced landing was initiated into an open field located about 5.5 nautical miles west of the airport of departure. The pilot added that during the landing on a rough and uneven terrain, the airplane touched down hard at about a 1,200 feet per minute rate of descent. The main landing gears sunk into the soft sandy soil, and the tailwheel-equipped airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. The airplane was reported to be powered by a 115 horsepower Lycoming O-235-C1A engine. The engine was driving a 3-bladed Precision propeller, which according to the pilot had accumulated less than 3 hours since installed new on the engine. The propeller model and serial number were not provided by the pilot. The mode of failure of the propeller blade could not be determined. The 331-hour instrument rated private pilot reported having accumulated a total of 38 hours in the accident make and model aircraft. ## Factual narrative On August 27, 2002, at 0940 mountain daylight time, a Whittman Tailwind W-8 homebuilt single-engine airplane, N3992A, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following the separation of a propeller blade while maneuvering near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual. The instrument rated private pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 maintenance test flight. The local flight originated from the Double Eagle II Airport, near Albuquerque, at 0920. The pilot reported to the FAA that the flight was being conducted to evaluate a recently installed ground adjustable propeller. After departing from runway 22, the flight climbed to 7,500 feet while evaluating the climb performance of the newly installed propeller. After maneuvering for a short time, the pilot and his passenger decided to return to the airport to readjust the propeller pitch to a finer pitch in order to improve the climb capabilities of the aircraft. The pilot reported that while returning to the airport, the engine developed "a sudden and violent vibration," and he immediately elected to shut down the engine. After the propeller stopped windmilling, the pilot noticed that one of the three propeller blades had separated from the propeller hub. The pilot reported that at the airplane's recommended best glide speed, the airplane was descending at approximately 1,500 feet per minute. Knowing that he was going to be unable to reach the airport, the pilot turned the airplane towards the west in order to locate a suitable forced landing area. A forced landing was initiated into an open field located about 5.5 nautical miles west of the Double Eagle II Airport. The pilot added that during the landing on a rough and uneven terrain, the airplane touched down hard at about a 1,200 feet per minute rate of descent. The main landing gears sunk into the soft sandy soil, and the tailwheel-equipped airplane nosed over and came to rest in the inverted position. The airplane was equipped with shoulder harnesses for both occupants, and they were in use at the time of the accident. Examination of the airplane, by the FAA inspector who traveled to the accident site, revealed that the rudder, vertical stabilizer, right elevator, and both wings sustained structural damage; however, the owner reported that the airplane was "destroyed." The airplane was reported to be powered by a 115 horsepower Lycoming O-235-C1A engine. The engine was driving a 3-bladed Precision propeller which according to the pilot, had accumulated less than 3 hours since installed new on the engine. The propeller model and serial number were not provided by the pilot. The mode of failure of the propeller blade could not be determined. The 331-hour pilot reported having accumulated a total of 38 hours in the accident make and model aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3992A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3992A-2017-05-23), registration cancelled 2017-05-23, S/N 37, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Whittman Tailwind W-8 - Registry model: [Tomishin-Whittman Tailwind W-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/tomishin-whittman-tailwind-w-8) (registry code 97902JN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 37 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1A 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 1, 2002 - Departed: AEG, Albuquerque, NM ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 331 total, 38 in this make and model, 244 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 20020827021469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020827021469A), Aug 27, 2002: Amtr TAILWINDW8, Albuquerque, NM, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 27, 2002, at 0940 mountain daylight time, a whittman tailwind experimental homebuilt single-engine airplane, N3992A, was substantially damaged… ## Other investigations on N3992A (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 ATL87DEI12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DEI12), Sep 4, 1987: Tomishin W-8 (N3992A), Painesville, OH, 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.