# NTSB LAX00LA301: Follmer Q200, N8427, Corona, CA, August 15, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 15, 2000, 10:03 local (17:03 UTC) - Place: Corona, CA - Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50000 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA301 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50000/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA301 ## Probable cause The failure and separation of one wooden propeller blade for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - utility pole ## Analysis The amateur-built airplane collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing on an interstate highway following the in-flight separation of a portion of one propeller blade. An FAA airworthiness inspector examined the airplane and interviewed the pilot. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight when it suddenly began to shake violently. The pilot believed he had lost part of the wooden propeller and turned to return to the departure airport. The shaking through the airframe became intense and the pilot was unsure of the continued integrity of the airframe. He decided to land on a major interstate highway beneath the airplane. During the landing rollout, the airplane was quickly catching up to automobiles on the road ahead and the pilot intentionally steered the airplane to the right shoulder to avoid a collision with the vehicles. The right wing contacted a light pole and slued the airplane nose first into another pole. The second collision with the pole shattered the propeller into small splinters. The airplane continued down an embankment and collided with additional brush. The FAA inspector searched the area and was able to identify one propeller blade tip in the propeller fragments scattered over the site. The second tip could not be located. According to the pilot, the aircraft owner built the airplane prior to 1990 and obtained an initial airworthiness and registration certificate, then placed the airplane into storage. The airplane did not fly from 1990 until weeks before the accident. The pilot was in the process of flying the initial 40 operating hours for an unrestricted experimental airworthiness certificate and had flown the airplane about 11 hours. ## Factual narrative On August 15, 2000, at 1003 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built Follmer Q200 airplane, N8427, collided with ground obstructions during a forced landing on an interstate highway in Corona, California. The forced landing was precipitated by an in-flight separation of a portion of one propeller blade. The aircraft was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The airplane was destroyed in the accident sequence. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area personal flight that had originated from the Chino, California, airport about 0945. An Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site and examined the airplane and interviewed the pilot. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight when it suddenly began to shake violently. The pilot believed he had lost part of the wooden propeller and turned to return to the Chino airport. The shaking through the airframe became intense and the pilot was unsure of the continued integrity of the airframe. He decided to land on a major interstate highway beneath the airplane. During the landing rollout, the airplane was quickly catching up to automobiles on the road ahead and the pilot intentionally steered the airplane to the right shoulder to avoid a collision with the vehicles. The right wing contacted a light pole and slued the airplane nose first into another pole. The second collision with the pole shattered the propeller into small splinters. The airplane continued down an embankment and collided with additional brush. The FAA inspector searched the area and was able to identify one propeller blade tip in the propeller fragments scattered over the site. The second tip could not be located. According to the pilot, the aircraft owner built the airplane prior to 1990 and obtained an initial airworthiness and registration certificate, then placed the airplane into storage in a hangar at the Chino airport. The airplane did not fly from 1990 until weeks before the accident. The pilot was in the process of flying the initial 40 operating hours for an unrestricted experimental airworthiness certificate and had flown the airplane about 11 hours. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8427](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8427-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 2472, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FOLLMER Q200 - Registry model: [Follmer Frank F Q200](https://openairdocs.org/model/follmer-frank-f-q200) (registry code 05645E4) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 2472 - Airframe hours: 5 - Engines: Continental O-200A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Birch E. Parker - Registered owner: Frank F. Follmer - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,902 total, 2,800 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 11 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 207 °F, dew point 140 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: CNO, 10 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 20000815009849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000815009849A), Aug 15, 2000: Amtr Q200, Corona, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Attachment of narrative (.4) on August 15, 2000, at 1003 hours pacific daylight time, an amateur-built follmer Q200 airplane, N8427, collided with ground… 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.