# NTSB FTW88IA147: Piper PA-31-350, N3589B, Oklahoma City, OK, August 10, 1988

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1988, 10:12 local (15:12 UTC)
- Place: Oklahoma City, OK
- Location: 35.3931° N, 97.6008° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at OKC WILL ROGERS INTL (OKC), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3931&lon=-97.6008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88IA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88IA147

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT WITH THREE PILOTS ONBOARD. THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED ON RUNWAY 17R AND WAS 300 TO 400 FEET AGL WHEN ONE BLADE OF THE RIGHT PROPELLER SEPARATED FROM THE HUB, FOLLOWED BY THE REMAINDER OF THE PROPELLER. THE PIC MADE AN IMMEDIATE RIGHT TURN AND ENTERED DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 12, AND THEN LANDED ON THAT RUNWAY. EXAMINATION REVEALED FRACTURE RESULTED FROM FATIGUE CRACKS THAT INITIATED AT THE GREASE HOLES IN THE FORWARD HALF OF THE PROPELLER HUB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3589B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3589B), registered now, S/N 31-8052134, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Registry model: [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350) (registry code 7103110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31-8052134
- Airframe hours: 2907
- Engines: LYCOMING TI0-540-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: FAA
- Registered owner: Michael Zicka Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 15, 1988, 48 hours before
- Departed: OKC, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: OKC, Will Rogers World, runway 17R, 7,800 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,962 total, 441 in this make and model, 2,912 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 47 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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