# NTSB LAX84LA225: Piper PA-24-180, N65DB, Tucson, AZ, March 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1984, 11:35 local (18:35 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.150302, -110.929199 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1503&lon=-110.9292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24206
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24206/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA225

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER PASSING WATSON INTERSECTION INBOUND TO TUSCON, AZ THE OUTBOARD TIP OF ONE PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED. THE PLT TURNED THE MAGNETO SWITCH OFF AND SLOWED THE ACFT UNTIL THE PROPELLER STOPPED ROTATING. HE THEN EXECUTED AN EMERGENCY LANDING SHORT OF THE ARPT. THE ACFT WAS LANDED IN A HARD PACKED DIRT AREA. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE REMAINING BLADE STUB REVEALED A FATIGUE FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65DB-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 24-1688, built 1960 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1688
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fred H. Morgan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 1, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: L70, AGUA DULCE, CA
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: Tuscon International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,050 total, 275 in this make and model, 979 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TUC, 7 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 19840320006719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840320006719A), Mar 20, 1984: Piper PA24, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Part of one propeller blade broke off due to metal fatigue during landing descent. Vibration and landing 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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