# NTSB LAX90FA008: Beech F33A, N67536, Goodyear, AZ, October 11, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1989, 09:33 local (16:33 UTC)
- Place: Goodyear, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.370147, -112.379699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3701&lon=-112.3797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26595
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26595/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA008

## Probable cause

THE INFLIGHT SEPARATION OF ONE PROPELLER BLADE DUE TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF UNDETERMINED ORIGIN, AND FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OIL COVERED WINDSHEILD, WHICH HINDERED THE PILOT IN MAINTAINING OUTSIDE VISUAL REFERENCES DURING A LOW ALTITUDE MANEUVER.

## 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 - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, ONE PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED AND THE RESULTING IMBALANCE CAUSED THE REMAINING PROPELLER BLADE AND HUB TO SEPARATE. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT PITCH UP, THEN ENTER A RIGHT TURN, IN AN APPARENT MANEUVER TO RETURN TO THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT BANK ANGLE CONTINUE TO STEEPEN UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER AND ENTERED A SPIN. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FAILED BLADE REVEALED THAT IT SEPARATED DUE TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE IN THE FIRST FULL THREAD OF THE THREADED SHANK PORTION, WHICH FITTED INSIDE A FERRULED FITTING. EXTENSIVE METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE FAILED TO IDENTIFY THE INITIATING DEFECT IN THE FATIGUE FRACTURE. ON SITE EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS HEAVILY COATED WITH ENGINE OIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67536](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67536-1992-10-23), registration cancelled 1992-10-23, S/N CE1025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH F33A
- Registry model: [Beech F33A](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-f33a) (registry code 1151425) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: CE-1025
- Airframe hours: 5344
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-BB 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Airline Training Center
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 27, 1989, 45 hours before
- Departed: GYR
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: GYR, Litchfield, runway 21, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 68 total, 68 in this make and model, 39 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GYR

## 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 19891011039919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891011039919A), Oct 11, 1989: Beech F33A, Goodyear, AZ, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Propeller assembly separated on certification test flight on climbout. Stall spin ensued. Prop blade fatigue.

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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