# NTSB FTW92LA210: Piper PA-24-180, N5981P, Russellville, AR, August 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1992, 15:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Russellville, AR
- Coordinates: 35.270076, -93.139625 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2701&lon=-93.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA210

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE. FACTORS WERE THE PROPELLER SYSTEM'S PITCH CHANGE MECHANISM DISCONNECTED DUE TO IMPROPER OVERHAUL AND FAILURE TO INSTALL THE STAKING PINS BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - propeller system/accessories,pitch change mech - disconnected (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHO WAS ALSO THE MECHANIC, WAS PERFORMING AN IN FLIGHT RIGGING CHECK OF THE AIRPLANE. DURING CLIMB, A POP SOUND WAS HEARD AND PROPELLER THRUST WAS LOST. MOVEMENT OF THE PROPELLER CONTROL HAD NO EFFECT AND AN EMERGENCY DESCENT WAS INITIATED BY THE PILOT. A 35 TO 40 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE WAS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN 85 KNOTS DURING THE FORCED LANDING TO A ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS NOT SECURED BY THE PILOT. A HARD LANDING OCCURRED AT AN ESTIMATED 1,800 FEET PER MINUTE DESCENT RATE, ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. THE PROPELLER SYSTEM WAS TORN DOWN AND TWO STAKING PINS WERE MISSING. THE GUIDE COLLAR, ROD, FORK, AND PISTON HAD ROTATED AROUND THE HUB. THE PROPELLER BLADES WERE DISCONNECTED FROM THE PITCH CHANGE MECHANISM. THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN OVERHAULED AND INSTALLED ON THE AIRCRAFT APPROXIMATELY 31.7 HOURS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5981P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5981P-1994-04-05), registration cancelled 1994-04-05, S/N 241074 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-1074
- Airframe hours: 2265
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Hargus, Herbert H.
- Registered owner: Hargus, Herbert H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 7, 1992
- Departed: MO6

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,350 total, 100 in this make and model, 9,300 as pilot in command, 140 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19920817032019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920817032019A), Aug 17, 1992: Piper PA24180, Russellville, AR, Substantial damage. Climbing on test flight. Loud pop. Lost thrust. Landed hard on a road. Prop staking pins not installed at overhaul.

## Other investigations on N5981P (2)

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 MIA67D0395](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA67D0395), Feb 12, 1967: Piper PA-24 (N5981P), Savannah, TN, substantial damage
- [NTSB MKC65F0002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC65F0002), Jan 28, 1965: Piper PA-24 (N5981P), Lake Elmo, MN, 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.

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