# NTSB NYC95LA231: Waco UPF-7, N167K, Staten Island, NY, September 29, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 29, 1995, 13:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Staten Island, NY - Coordinates: 40.629241, -74.089668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6292&lon=-74.0897&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39058/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA231 ## Probable cause Failure of the propeller blade due to fatigue, which resulted in severe vibration, subsequent separation of the engine, and a forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - propeller system/accessories,blade - fatigue (cause) - propeller system/accessories,blade - failure,total (cause) - airframe - vibration - engine assembly,mount - separation - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was returning from a local sightseeing flight. While cruising at about 800 feet mean sea level, a section of a propeller blade separated. This was followed by a severe vibration, and the engine separate from the aircraft. The pilot stated, 'I saw after landing that the engine was hanging down between the landing gear struts...held on by the throttle linkage, fuel line and heavy duty starter wire.' The pilot performed a forced landing in a parking lot. Examination of the fractured propeller blade revealed a fatigue origin area at the point of separation. Additionally, there was an area of mechanical damage on the flat face of the blade where the fatigue cracking initiated. ## Factual narrative On September 29, 1995, about 1320 eastern daylight time, a Waco UPF-7, N167K, was substantially damaged during flight near Staten Island, New York. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The local sightseeing flight had departed from Old Bridge, New Jersey and was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a statement submitted by the pilot stated: ...I was flying at about 800' over the water at 1800 RPM when 19 3/4" of my propeller departed the aircraft. The vibration seemed like an earthquake. I instantly chopped the throttle and mixture, and turned off the mags and master switch; with my hand on the throttle, I felt the throttle being pulled forward by the weight of the engine as I watched it disappear from view. (I saw after landing that the engine was hanging down between the landing gear struts about a foot off the ground, held on by the throttle linkage, fuel line and heavy duty starter wire.).... The pilot further stated that he performed a forced landing in a parking lot. No damage occurred during the landing. A section of the remaining propeller blade at it's point of separation was examined by the National Transportation Safety Board, Material Laboratory, Washington, District of Columbia. The metallurgist's report stated that there was a fatigue origin area at the point of separation. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration Inspector stated: ...Examination of the propeller revealed 12 inches of one blade tip was missing. The propeller was by Curtis-Reed, Model 55501 (Circa 1940).....Log book records revealed that during the overhaul, January 1995, this propeller was removed from another airplane (a Stearman) and installed on aircraft N167K.... ...[Additionally,]The propeller failed as a result of fatigue cracking and mechanical damage on the flat face (aft) of the propeller. Paint was found in the crack indicating that the propeller was painted after it was damaged. The time when the damage occurred is unknown because the propeller and engine were on another aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N167K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N167K-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 5586, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Waco UPF-7 - Registry model: [Waco UPF-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (registry code 9601302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5586 - Airframe hours: 3136 - Engines: Continental R670-5W670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward Del Russo - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 1995, 35 hours before - Departed: 3N6, OLD BRIDGE, NJ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,500 total, 500 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19950929030669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950929030669A), Sep 29, 1995: Waco UPF7, Staten Island, NY, Substantial damage. Lost prop blade at cruise. Engine tore out of place and hanging. Landed parking lost. Prop blade failed at a nick. ## Other investigations on N167K (1) 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. - [NTSB NYC78FHA06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FHA06), Nov 19, 1977: Waco UPF7 (N167K), Tannersville, PA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.