# NTSB LAX02LA220: Bushby Mustang M-11, N30430, Pahrump, NV, July 5, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 5, 2002, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Pahrump, NV - Coordinates: 36.049999, -116 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0500&lon=-116.0000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55168 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA220 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55168/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55168 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA220 ## Probable cause the failure and separation of a 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 - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause) - airframe - vibration - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The experimental airplane experienced a propeller blade failure and separation during cruise flight, resulting in airframe damage due to the severity of the vibrations from the out of balance propeller. While approaching the proximity of the airport, the pilot lowered the nose, in an effort to begin a gradual decent. About 9,500 mean sea level, the engine began to violently shake. He set the throttle to idle, the mixture in the off position, turned off the master switch, and put the fuel selector in the "off" position. He looked for a place to land and spotted a dry lake below. He configured the airplane in a slip and landed successfully. Post accident examination of the airplane revealed that 21 inches of a propeller blade tip had separated from the propeller body. The pilot thought that the consequential imbalance resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The engine was left hanging by a 3/8-inch bolt. The propeller was a fixed pitch, aluminum two-bladed McCauley, part number 1A170/7074. The propeller had undergone a propeller strike prior to the accident, where it was shortened from 76 inches to 70 inches, and repitched. ## Factual narrative On July 5, 2002, about 1200 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Bushby Mustang M-11, N30430, experienced a propeller blade failure and separation during cruise flight, resulting in a forced landing near Pahrump, Nevada. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial airframe damage due to the severity of the vibration from the out of balance propeller. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The personal cross-country flight originated from Apple Valley Airport, Apple Valley, California, about 1115, with a planned destination of Calvada Meadows Airport (NV74), Pahrump. In a written statement the pilot reported that he was approaching NV74 and reduced power. He lowered the nose, in an effort to begin a gradual decent. As the airplane gained speed, he reduced the power again. About 9,500 mean sea level, the engine began to violently shake. He set the throttle to idle, the mixture in the off position, turned off the master switch, and put the fuel selector in the "off" position. He looked for a place to land and spotted a dry lake below. He configured the airplane in a slip and descended. He landed successfully, with the airplane coming to rest about 32 miles south of NV74. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that post accident examination of the airplane revealed that 21 inches of a propeller blade tip had separated from the propeller body. The pilot thought that the consequential imbalance resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. The engine was left hanging by a 3/8-inch bolt. The propeller was a fixed pitch, aluminum two-bladed McCauley, part number 1A170/7074. It was noted that the propeller had undergone a propeller strike prior to the accident, where it was shortened from 76 inches to 70 inches, and repitched. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30430](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30430), registered now, S/N 1311 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bushby Aircraft Mustang M-11 - Registry model: [Lazaro Ralph B BUSHBY MUSTANG M-11](https://openairdocs.org/model/lazaro-ralph-b-bushby-mustang-m-11) (registry code 05624NA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1311 - Airframe hours: 120 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-02B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph B. Lazaro - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 2001, 20 hours before - Departed: APV, Apple Valley, CA - Destination: NV74, Pahrump, NV - Airport: NV74, Calvada Meadows Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 24, 2001; seat: front; flight hours: 910 total, 118 in this make and model, 910 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: KLAS, 42 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 20020705015799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020705015799A), Jul 5, 2002: Amtr BUSHBYMII, Pahrump, NV, No damage. (-23) Aircraft was at 9500 MSL, air speed was 185 to 190 in a descent to land at Pahrump airport (NV74) when 21 inches of one blade of the propeller broke off.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55168. 296 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 263 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461206&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40210173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF 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.