# NTSB LAX87LA184: Piper PA-24-250, N5596P, Catalina, CA, April 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 19, 1987, 19:00 local (Apr 20, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Catalina, CA
- Coordinates: 33.380451, -118.449806 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3805&lon=-118.4498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA184

## 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,blade - separation (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - previous damage (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - submerged object (contributing factor)

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLT STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE ACFT BEGAN TO VIBRATE SEVERELY WITH THE ENGINE DEVELOPING PARTIAL POWER. THE ACFT WOULD NOT CLIMB AND THE PLT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN 100 FPM DESCENT. UNABLE TO RETURN TO THE ARPT, THE PLT DITCHED THE ACFT IN THE OCEAN. INSPECTION OF THE PROPELLER BLADES EXHIBITED LEADING EDGE DAMAGE ALONG THE OUTBOARD 4-5 INCHES WITH SOME POLISHING OF THE CAMBERED SIDE. ONE BLADE WAS BENT FORWARD AND MISSING APRX 4 INCHES OF THE TIP. APRX ONE INCH FURTHER WAS A GOUGE ON THE LEADING EDGE. THE OTHER BLADE WAS BENT REARWARD. ON THE LEADING EDGE APRX 4 INCHES FROM THE TIP WAS A GOUGE AND CRACK APRX ONE INCH LONG. THE ENGINE CONTAINED A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUST AND CORROSION FROM BEING IN CONTACT WITH SALT WATER. NO OTHER MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTIONS COULD BE NOTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5596P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5596P-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 24663 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250
- Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 24-663
- Airframe hours: 3819
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-A1A5 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas Armstrong
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1986, 11 hours before
- Departed: AVX, CATALINA, CA
- Destination: TOA, TORRANCE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,500 total, 275 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LGB, 30 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 19870419010259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870419010259A), Apr 19, 1987: Piper PA24250, Catalina, CA, Destroyed. Loud bang, vibration, partial power loss on takeoff. Ditched in ocean and wing hit a mooring. Prop blade had broken

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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