# NTSB LAX85FA373: Swearingen SA226TC Metro II, N139WW, Fresno, CA, August 27, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 27, 1985, 10:28 local (17:28 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.639514, -119.910789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6395&lon=-119.9108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor, 13 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24530
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA373
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24530/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA373

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - not performed, check pilot (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 16,000 FEET ONE OF THE THREE PROPELLER BLADES SEPARATED AT THE SHANK. THE UNBALANCED CONDITION TWISTED THE ENG FROM ITS MOUNTS AND INTO THE FUSELAGE. THE CABIN WAS PUNCTURED AND RAPID DECOMPRESSION FOLLOWED. THE CREW WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE ACFT AND LAND WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N139WW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N139WW-1992-09-17), registration cancelled 1992-09-17, S/N TC413 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SWEARINGEN SA226TC METRO II (SA226TC ME)
- Registry model: [Swearingen SA226TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/swearingen-sa226tc) (registry code 8780404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TC413
- Airframe hours: 9155
- Engines: AIRESEARCH TPE331-1QUA 940 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Wings West, Inc.
- Registered owner: Fairchild Aircraft Corp
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 23, 1985
- Departed: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Destination: MCE, MERCED, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,713 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 3,280 as pilot in command, 280 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCE, 25 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 19850827075949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850827075949A), Aug 27, 1985: Swrngn SA226TC, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Propeller blade separated at shank during cruise. Unbalance resulted in other blades striking fuselage.

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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