# NTSB LAX88LA070: Cessna 172, N4297F, Goodyear, AZ, December 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1987, 17:05 local (Dec 28, 1987, 00:05 UTC)
- Place: Goodyear, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.369819, -112.379928 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3698&lon=-112.3799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25921
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25921/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA070

## 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 - separation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLT WHILE CRUISING AT 7500 FT MSL, THE ACFT BEGAN TO VIBRATE SEVERELY. THE PLT SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. INSPECTION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT A SECTION OF ONE OF THE PROPELLER BLADES HAD SEPARATED. THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED IN FLIGHT DURING THE VIBRATION. THE SEPARATED PORTION OF THE BLADE WAS NEVER LOCATED. THE REASON FOR THE SEPARATION WAS NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4297F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4297F-2017-05-22), registration cancelled 2017-05-22, S/N 46197, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (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: 46197
- Airframe hours: 2730
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1987, 8 hours before
- Departed: WJF, LANCASTER, CA
- Destination: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: GYR, Goodyear, runway 3, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,668 total, 1,321 in this make and model, 1,593 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19871227071939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871227071939A), Dec 27, 1987: Cessna 172, Goodyear, AZ, Substantial damage. Severe engine vibration at cruise. Shut down engine. Landed without incident. A section of one prop blade broke off

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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