# NTSB LAX85IA396: North American SNJ-4, N86WW, Reno, NV, September 12, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: September 12, 1985, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.710414, -119.820213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7104&lon=-119.8202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85IA396
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85IA396

## 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,hydraulic pitch ctl - disconnected (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT EXPERIENCED A 'SEVERE VIBRATION' AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING DURING A HEAT RACE AT THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AIR RACES. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT A PROPELLER BLADE PITCH CHANGE BOLT, P/N 53546, HAD FAILED, ALLOWING ONE PROPELLER BLADE TO MOVE INTO A HIGH PITCH BLADE ANGLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N86WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86WW), registered now, S/N 88-12291, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-4
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-4) (registry code 6400414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6400 414
- Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles E. Beck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 45D
- Airport: 45D, Reno-Stead, runway 8, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19850912076169I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850912076169I), Sep 12, 1985: Namer SNJ4, Reno, NV, Minor damage. Propeller pitch change bolt, p/n 5354G failed during air race. Landed, but nosed down on rollout. Hit prop, cowl.

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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