# NTSB LAX05LA270: Prescott Aeronautical Pusher, N43PP, Redding, CA, August 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 2005, 12:17 local (19:17 UTC) - Place: Redding, CA - Coordinates: 40.520816, -122.320816 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5208&lon=-122.3208&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62246 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA270 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62246/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA270 ## Probable cause the in-flight separation of the propeller 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 - separation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pusher configuration propeller departed the airplane during flight and the airplane impacted trees during a forced landing in a field. The pilot was established in cruise flight at 7,500 feet mean sea level when he felt a vibration. The vibration then became "severe" and he heard a series of clinking noises. He immediately began preparations for an emergency landing because he knew that his propeller had separated from the airplane. The pilot force-landed the airplane in a vacant field. The pilot stated that about 2 weeks prior to the accident he had removed the wooden American Propeller and installed a different propeller. The new propeller was too long for ground clearance so the pilot reinstalled the original wooden American Propeller. The original hardware was used to install the propeller and the bolts were torqued to the recommended amount. The bolts were also safety wired. After its installation, the propeller was operationally tested. Prior to its removal, the propeller had been installed on the airplane for about 1 year with no operational or mechanical problems noted. The pilot did not have any other reported vibrations on flights leading up to the accident. Post accident examination by the responding airport personnel showed that the propeller and the attachment bolts were not on the propeller flange. Three of the bolt holes showed evidence of rubbing and partial elongation of the holes. The propeller and its attachment hardware were not recovered. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2005, at 1217 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Prescott Aeronautical Pusher, N43PP, lost its propeller during flight and the pilot made a forced landing in a field 1/2-mile south of Redding Municipal Airport (KRDD), Redding, California. During the forced landing, the airplane impacted trees and sustained substantial damage. The pilot was operating the privately registered airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight. The flight departed from Pearson Field Airport (KVUO), Vancouver, Washington, at 0920, and was destined for Willows-Glenn County Airport (KWLW), Willows, California. No flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, he was going to stop at Willows for fuel, and then continue to Whiteman Airport, Los Angeles, California. He was established in cruise flight at 7,500 feet mean sea level when he felt a vibration. The vibration then became "severe" and he heard a series of clinking noises. He radioed the Redding Air Traffic Control Tower and advised that he needed to land immediately because he knew that his propeller had separated from the pusher airplane. The pilot force-landed the airplane in a vacant field. The pilot stated that about 2 weeks prior to the accident he and a friend had removed the wooden American Propeller and installed a different propeller. The new propeller was too long for ground clearance so the pilot and his friend reinstalled the original wooden American Propeller. The original hardware was used to install the propeller and the bolts were torqued to the recommended amount. The bolts were also safety wired. After its installation, the propeller was operationally tested. Prior to its removal, the propeller had been installed on the airplane for about 1 year with no operational or mechanical problems noted. The pilot did not have any reported vibrations on flights leading up to the accident flight. The responding airport personnel sent photos of the accident site to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge. The photos showed that the propeller and the attachment bolts were not on the propeller flange. Three of the bolt holes showed evidence of rubbing and partial elongation of the holes. The propeller and its attachment hardware were not recovered. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N43PP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43PP-2008-05-15), registration cancelled 2008-05-15, S/N 050, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Prescott Aeronautical Pusher - Registry model: [Prescott Aeronautical PUSHER](https://openairdocs.org/model/prescott-aeronautical-pusher) (registry code 05613KS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 050 - Airframe hours: 154 - Engines: Hibbler IO-360-C1C 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Norris Hibbler - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 1, 2005, 35 hours before - Departed: VUO, Vancouver, WA - Destination: WLW, Willows Glen, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 1,652 total, 51 in this make and model, 1,632 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: RDD, 1 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 20050814020029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050814020029A), Aug 14, 2005: Amtr PUSHER, Redding, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) While passing through the Redding, CA airport traffic area the pilot noticed a vibration in the aircraft. The vibration became worse then the aircraft… 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.