# NTSB SEA96LA008: Nord Stampe SV4C, N51SV, Cottage Grove, OR, October 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 14, 1995, 17:25 local (Oct 15, 1995, 00:25 UTC) - Place: Cottage Grove, OR - Coordinates: 43.71033, -123.029396 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7103&lon=-123.0294&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42302 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA008 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42302/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA008 ## Probable cause A PROPELLER BLADE SEPARATION DUE TO INADEQUATE MATERIAL. THE LACK OF A SUITABLE AREA FOR THE FORCED LANDING WAS A FACTOR. ## Analysis THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB-OUT AFTER TAKEOFF, A CRACKING SOUND WAS HEARD, AND THEN A SEVERE VIBRATION WAS FELT. THE PILOT SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING TO AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THE LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE LOWER WING CONTACTED THE SURFACE. POSTCRASH INSPECTION OF WOOD PROPELLER REVEALED THAT THE OUTBOARD SIX INCHES OF ONE BLADE HAD SEPARATED IN-FLIGHT. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE EXPERIMENTAL PROPELLER REPORTED THAT THE WOOD MATERIAL WAS A TYPE OF MAHOGANY, AND THAT ONLY 5 WERE MANUFACTURED BEFORE DISCONTINUING THE USE OF THIS PARTICULAR WOOD. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 1995, at 1725 Pacific daylight time, a Nord Stampe SV4C, N51SV, experienced an in-flight propeller blade separation during the climb-out from the Cottage Grove Airport, Cottage Grove, Oregon. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field, where during the landing roll, the airplane collided with the rough terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that during the initial climb-out and at approximately 300 feet above ground level, he heard a loud cracking sound, then felt a severe vibration. The pilot shut the engine down and initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll on the rough terrain, the left main gear collapsed and the lower left wing contacted the ground. During the post-crash inspection, it was found that the outboard six inches of one propeller blade was missing. The outboard section, which includes the outboard leading edge brass plate has not been located. The pilot reported that the propeller had accumulated a total time of 45 hours at the time of the accident. The experimental propeller was manufactured by Hendrickson Propeller. The manufacturer reported that the wood material was a type of mahogany, and that only five were manufactured before discontinuing the use of this particular wood. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - propeller system/accessories,blade - separation (cause) - material inadequate, manufacturer (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Aircraft - Registration: [N51SV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51SV-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 460, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Nord (SNCAN) STAMPE SV4C (STAMPE SV4) - Registry model: [Nord STAMPE SV4C](https://openairdocs.org/model/nord-stampe-sv4c) (registry code 6383006) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Renault H.P03](https://openairdocs.org/engine/renault-h-p03) (registry code 52512, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 460 - Engines: RENAULT 4PO3 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter J. Dunden - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1995, 30 hours before - Departed: 61S ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,200 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 5 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °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 19951014036149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951014036149A), Oct 14, 1995: Nord STAMPESV4C, Cottage Grove, OR, Substantial damage. Prop blade separatin on climbout. Crash landed. Lost six inches including brass plate. 45 hrs on mahoganey prop. ## Other investigations on N51SV (2) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB ERA11LA434](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA434), Jul 31, 2011: Nord Stampe SV4C (N51SV), Rhinebeck, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB OAK76DVD46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVD46), Aug 8, 1976: Stampe SV4C (N51SV), Pittsburg, CA, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.