# NTSB FTW04LA001: Bratton Experimental Homebuilt Swearingen SX300, N301SX, Floresville, TX, October 2, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 2, 2003, 11:09 local (16:09 UTC) - Place: Floresville, TX - Coordinates: 29.336944, -98.471107 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3369&lon=-98.4711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 58077 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW04LA001 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58077/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW04LA001 ## Probable cause The separation of one propeller blade while in cruise flight. A factor contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal - propeller system/accessories,hub - failure (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ground - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot of an experimental homebuilt single-engine airplane impacted the ground during a forced landing following a loss of engine power due to separation of a propeller blade. The shank connecting the composite propeller to the hub was broken, and one of the three blades was missing from the hub. ## Factual narrative On October 2, 2003, about 1109 central daylight time, a Bratton Swearingen SX300 experimental homebuilt single-engine airplane, N301SX, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground during a forced landing to an open field following a loss of engine power near Floresville, Texas. The commercial pilot, who was the owner and operator of the airplane, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed the Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP) near Corpus Christi, Texas. The flight's intended destination was the Gillespie County Airport (T82), near Fredericksburg, Texas. The 4,000-hour pilot, who was the owner and builder of the airplane, reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector that the aircraft was powered by a 300-horsepower Lycoming IO-540 engine, which was driving a 3 bladed composite propeller. According to information provided by the FAA inspector who responded to the accident site, one of the propeller blades came off while in cruise flight, and the pilot was able to shut the engine down. Examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed that the shank connecting the composite propeller to the hub was broken, and one of the three blades was missing from the hub. The pilot/operator failed to provide the Safety Board with a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB 6120.1/2) form. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N301SX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N301SX-2005-12-30), registration cancelled 2005-12-30, S/N 5, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bratton Experimental Homebuilt Swearingen SX300 - Registry model: [Bratton Mark P SWEARINGEN SX300](https://openairdocs.org/model/bratton-mark-p-swearingen-sx300) (registry code 0568004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Marquis P. Bratton - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CRP, Corpus Christi, TX - Destination: T82, Fredericksburg, TX - Airport: 8TAO, John B Connally Ranch Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 4,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg ## 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 20031002023289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031002023289A), Oct 2, 2003: Amtr SX300, Floresville, TX, Destroyed. (-23) On enroute from corpus christi, Texas to san antonio, Texas, one of the propeller blades came off. Pilot shut engine off and glided aircraft to an empty… 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.