# NTSB LAX82IA044: Piper PA-31-350, N74HP, San Jose, CA, January 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1982, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.310016, -121.959747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3100&lon=-121.9597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82IA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82IA044

## 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 - separation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEPARTING ON AN IFR FLIGHT FROM SAN JOSE, CA TO CHESTER, CA. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FEET AGL, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER INFORMED HIM THAT THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS MISSING. THE PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE AND CIRCLED THE AIRPORT TO AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. THE PROPELLER HUB AND TWO BLADES WERE FOUND ON THE RUNWAY: THE THIRD BLADE WAS NEVER LOCATED. INSPECTION REVEALED A 3 TO 4 INCH PROGRESSIVE FATIGUE FRACTURE ON THE HUB. AIRCRAFT RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE HUB HAD ABOUT 3421 HOURS TOTAL TIME, AND 707 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N74HP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-31-350
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7305121
- Airframe hours: 3422
- Engines: LYCOMING LTIO-54-J2BD 350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Executive/Corporate, Part 91
- Operator: Hewlett Packard
- Registered owner: Hewlett Packard
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: 005, CHESTER, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SJC, San Jose Municipal, runway 12, 4,418 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 13,760 total, 1,805 in this make and model, 9,999 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19820120004319I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820120004319I), Jan 20, 1982: Piper PA31350, San Jose, CA, Minor damage. Loud bang on initial takeoff climb. Propeller blades and hub assembly had separated from aircraft. Fatigue cracks.

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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