# NTSB NYC08CA058: Fisher Aero Celebrity, N43682, White Plains, AL, December 8, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 8, 2007, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: White Plains, AL
- Coordinates: 33.716945, -85.820831
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7169&lon=-85.8208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA058

## Probable cause

A propeller failure during cruise flight.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller failure/malfunction, cruise
  - propeller system/accessories - disintegrated (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - plowed/furrowed

## Analysis

During cruise flight, the pilot of an amateur built airplane noticed that the airplane began to vibrate.  He applied carburetor heat, and then checked the magnetos to see if they were functioning properly, but the vibration persisted.  Moments later, the vibration became worse, and the wooden propeller came apart.  The pilot shut down the engine and made a forced landing in a field.  After touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane received substantial damage. The pilot had recently purchased the airplane, and had flown it for approximately 55 minutes prior to the accident.  According to the pilot, the airplane's original logbooks had been misplaced, and new ones were begun prior to the sale.  The airplane's total time in service was estimated to be 190 hours.  No entries regarding propeller inspections or propeller maintenance were noted in the new logbooks.

## Factual narrative

During cruise flight at 2,000 feet msl, the pilot of an amateur built Fisher Celebrity noticed that the airplane began to vibrate.  He applied carburetor heat, and then checked the magnetos to see if they were functioning properly, but the vibration persisted.  Moments later the vibration became worse, and the wooden propeller came apart.  The pilot shut down the engine and executed a forced landing in a field.  After touchdown, the landing gear collapsed, and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The pilot had recently purchased the airplane.  He had flown it for approximately 55 minutes, prior to the accident.  According to the pilot, the airplane's original logbooks had been "misplaced" and new ones were begun prior to the sale.  The airplane total time in service was estimated to be 190 hours.  No entries regarding propeller inspections or propeller maintenance were noted in the new logbooks.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43682](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43682-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N AV1020 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Fisher Aero Celebrity
- Registry model: [Godfrey Fred K CELEBRITY](https://openairdocs.org/model/godfrey-fred-k-celebrity) (registry code 05618MM) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AV-1020
- Airframe hours: 190
- Engines: Continental C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, June 1, 2007
- Departed: 3AL5, Jacksonville, AL
- Destination: 3AL5

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2006; seat: rear; flight hours: 11,423 total, 2 in this make and model, 7,824 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,100 ft broken
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observed at: ANB, 16 nm away

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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