# NTSB SEA00LA068: PZL-Bielsko SZD-45A Ogar, N54AS, Libby, MT, April 8, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 2000, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Libby, MT
- Coordinates: 48.319629, -115.360877 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3196&lon=-115.3609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 48938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA068
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA068

## Probable cause

A crack in the propeller blade that developed into a complete separation of the blade.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause)
  - propeller system/accessories,blade - cracked (cause)

## Analysis

The aircraft was in a powered cruise configuration at 7,500 feet mean sea level when one of the propeller blades separated from the propeller hub.  The pilot initiated a descent and subsequent forced landing without further incident or damage to the aircraft.  An FAA Inspector examined the aircraft after the accident and reported that the propeller blade separated near the propeller hub.  The inspector also stated that there appeared to be a preexisting crack in the area of the separation.

## Factual narrative

On April 8, 2000, about 1600 mountain daylight time, a PDPS PZL-Bielsko, SZD-45A Ogar, N54AS, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14CFR91 personal pleasure flight, was substantially damaged when a portion of the propeller blade separated while in a cruise flight configuration.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from Coeur D'Alene, Idaho (COE), approximately four hours prior to the accident.

The pilot stated that the aircraft was in a powered cruise configuration at 7,500 feet mean sea level (msl) when one blade of the Maloof (C4.5X58) propeller separated from the propeller hub.  The pilot initiated a descent and subsequent forced landing at Libby Municipal Airport (S59), Libby, Montana, without further incident.

An FAA Inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standard District Office inspected the aircraft after the accident and reported that the propeller blade separated near the propeller blade root.  The inspector also stated that there appeared to be a preexisting crack in the area of the separation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54AS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N54AS), registered now, S/N B-769, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PZL-Bielsko SZD-45A OGAR (SZD-45A OG)
- Registry model: [Pdps Pzl-Bielsko SZD-45A OGAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/pdps-pzl-bielsko-szd-45a-ogar) (registry code 8822002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Revmaster 2100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/revmaster-2100) (registry code 52550, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: B-769
- Airframe hours: 200
- Engines: Revmaster 2100-D 75 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John J. Neils
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 2000, 3 hours before
- Departed: COE, COEUR D'ALENE, ID
- Airport: S59, Libby, runway 33, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,400 total, 80 in this make and model, 2,400 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °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 20000408013389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000408013389A), Apr 8, 2000: Szd SZD45AOGAR, Libby, MT, No damage. (-23) On 4/8/00, while in cruise flight (approx 7500 feet MSL) near Libby, MT, N54AS, an Szd-45A ogar lost a propeller blade. The pilot recognized the problem,…

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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