# NTSB MIA89LA017: Cessna 172N, N21ER, Houston, MS, October 28, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1988, 22:10 local (Oct 28, 1988, 03:10 UTC)
- Place: Houston, MS
- Coordinates: 33.890201, -89.000213 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8902&lon=-89.0002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32348
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32348/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA017

## 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 - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE FLT A PORTION OF ONE PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATED. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT IN A FIELD & DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A HAYSTACK. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER BLADE REVEALED IT SEPARATED AT BLADE STATION 28.5. METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED IT FAILED DUE TO FATIGUE FROM A NICK IN THE LEADING EDGE OF THE BLADE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21ER-2013-02-07), registration cancelled 2013-02-07, S/N 17271290, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271290
- Airframe hours: 4800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler, G. P.
- Registered owner: Callicutt, Kenneth S
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1988, 91 hours before
- Departed: STF, STARKVILLE, MS
- Destination: OLV, OLIVE BRANCH, MS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,200 total, 400 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 200° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBM, 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 19881027048609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881027048609A), Oct 27, 1988: Cessna 172N, Houston, MS, Substantial damage. Portion of a propeller blade broke off at cruise. Hit a hay stack landing in a field. Fatigue caused by blade nick.

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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