# NTSB LAX91LA269: Green-Fowler Pazmany PL-1, N4081K, Wrightwood, CA, June 23, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1991, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Wrightwood, CA
- Coordinates: 34.359497, -117.610153 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3595&lon=-117.6102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27256
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA269
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27256/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA269

## Probable cause

FATIGUE FRACTURE OF ONE OF THE TWO PROPELLER BLADES CAUSED BY THE PROPELLER MODIFICATION AND THE NON-APPROVED PROPELLER-ENGINE COMBINATION. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WIRES AS AN OBSTACLE IN THE GLIDE PATH DURING THE ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - fractured (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - planned approach - not possible, pilot in command
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT ABOUT 5,600 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL WHEN THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD NOISE FOLLOWED BY SEVERE VIBRATIONS.   THE PILOT PULLED THE FUEL MIXTURE CONTROL AND ENTERED A POWER-OFF FORCED LANDING. ON SHORT FINAL, THE PILOT NOTICED WIRES IN HIS GLIDE PATH.  HE MANEUVERED THE AIRCRAFT UNDER THE WIRES.  HE LANDED ON UNEVEN TERRAIN AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER.  INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT ABOUT 17 INCHES OF ONE PROPELLER BLADE OUTBOARD SECTION FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE.  THE PROPELLER WAS CUT DOWN FROM A 74' DIAMETER TO A DIAMETER OF 68' AND PUT ON THE AIRCRAFT WITH A LYCOMING 0-320 E ENGINE.  THIS IS AN UNAPPROVED COMBINATION AND THE PROPELLER FAILED AFTER ABOUT 20 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME IN THAT COMBINATION.  AN INDEPENDENT LABORATORY EXAMINED THE PROPELLER AND CONCLUDED THAT THE FATIGUE FAILURE WAS AS A RESULT OF A FORGING DEFECT. THE NTSB LABORATORY REVIEWED THAT REPORT AND DETERMINED THAT THE INDEPENDENT LABORATORY'S CONCLUSION WAS NOT SUBSTANTIATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4081K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4081K-1991-08-16), registration cancelled 1991-08-16, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GREEN-FOWLER PAZMANY PL-1 (PAZMANY PL)
- Registry model: [Huebner Robert D REVOLUTION MINI 500](https://openairdocs.org/model/huebner-robert-d-revolution-mini-500) (registry code 05601L5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320E 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Lawrence Tomasello
- Registered owner: Lawrence Tomasello
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: L19, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Destination: L12, REDLANDS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 321 total, 17 in this make and model, 194 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: VCV, 17 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 19910623023229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910623023229A), Jun 23, 1991: Amtrpz PAZMANYPL1, Wrightwood, CA, Destroyed. Propeller blade shattered. Crash landed. Prop had been cut down below manufacturer recommendation for engine mode.

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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