# NTSB NYC92LA151: Rockwell 112-TC, N4531W, St Mary'S, WV, August 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1992, 12:35 local (16:35 UTC)
- Place: St Mary'S, WV
- Coordinates: 39.40047, -81.189117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4005&lon=-81.1891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37198
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37198/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA151

## Probable cause

THE FATIGUE CRACKING FRACTURE OF THE PROPELLER HUB, RESULTING IN A FORCED LANDING, AND COLLISION WITH A HOUSE.

## 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 - previous damage
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - fatigue (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,hub - fractured (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - residence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID, 'WHILE CRUSING AT 9500 FEET...THERE WAS A 'BOOM'...I REALIZED...THE ENGINE JUST BLEW...'  DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A HOUSE.  EXAMINATION OF THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS REVEALED THAT THERE HAD BEEN TWO PROPELLER STRIKES WITH THIS AIRPLANE.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION OR DEFECT WHICH WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE.  THE PROPELLER BLADE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS EXAMINED BY THE NTSB METALLURGIST.  IN HIS REPORT HE STATED:  'THE HUB FAILED AS A RESULT OF FATIGUE CRACKING....THE ORIGIN OF THE FATIGUE WAS NOT LOCATED ON A PART OF THE HUB THAT WAS RECOVERED.  DAMAGE TO THE PRELOAD PLATE SHELF...INDICATED THAT THE HUB HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED A BLADE STRIKE....THE GROUND STRIKE COULD HAVE HAD AN AFFECT ON THE FAILURE OF THE HUB, BUT WITHOUT THE ORIGIN AREA FOR EXAMINATION OTHER...CAUSES...CANNOT BE RULED OUT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4531W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4531W-1993-07-13), registration cancelled 1993-07-13, S/N 13040 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 112-TC
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112tc) (registry code 7630306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13040
- Airframe hours: 1388
- Engines: LYCOMING TO-360-C1A6D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sherman D. Taffel
- Registered owner: Sherman D. Taffel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992, 38 hours before
- Departed: LOU, LOUISVILLE, KY
- Destination: M24, CLARKSVILLE, MD

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,266 total, 277 in this make and model, 1,133 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920809029819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920809029819A), Aug 9, 1992: Gulstm 112TC, St Mary, WV, Destroyed. Loud boom. Oil on windshield. Struck residence landing. Prop hub cracked,lost prop blade. Prior sudden stoppages.

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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