# NTSB MIA85IA155: Grumman G-73-T, N632SS, St. Croix, April 24, 1985

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Minor injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: April 24, 1985, 17:32 local (21:32 UTC)
- Place: St. Croix
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31286
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85IA155
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31286/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85IA155

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - propeller system/accessories,counterweight - failure,total (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON AN FAA OBSERVED PROVING FLIGHT, WATER TAKE OFF, THE LEFT PROPELLER ELECTRICAL TERMINAL FAILED. THE PART THEN PENETRATED THE LEFT FORWARD PASSENGER WINDOW AND STRUCK THE FAA OBSERVER CAUSING MINOR INJURY. THE PLASTIC PART FAILED IN OVER LOAD DUE TO INADEQUATE DESIGN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N632SS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N632SS), registered now, S/N J32 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN G-73-T
- Registry model: [Grumman G-73](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-g-73) (registry code 3951802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: J-32
- Airframe hours: 212
- Engines: P&W PT-6A34 750 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Virgin Island Seaplane Shuttle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 2, 1985, 41 hours before
- Departed: STX, CHRISTIANSTED
- Destination: STT, ST.THOMAS
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 13,155 total, 35 in this make and model, 11,775 as pilot in command, 55 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STX, 13 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).

- [Incident 19850424061969I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850424061969I), Apr 24, 1985: Gulstm STCG73, Christiansted S, U.S. Virgin Islands, Minor damage. During water takeoff run, a propeller electrical terminal block failed and penetrated window. Faulty design.

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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