On December 28, 1987, a Cessna 172 (registration N4297F) was involved in an aviation accident near Goodyear, AZ. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a cross-country flight at 7,500 ft MSL, severe vibration prompted the pilot to shut down the engine and land. Inspection revealed a propeller blade section had separated, causing substantial in-flight damage. The separation cause remains undetermined.
Incident Overview
A single-engine aircraft experienced severe vibration while cruising at an altitude of 7,500 feet mean sea level during a cross-country flight. The pilot responded by shutting down the engine and executing a forced landing, which was completed without further incident.
Inspection Findings
Post-landing inspection of the aircraft revealed that a section of one propeller blade had separated from the remaining portion. The separated blade segment was never located despite search efforts. The vibration associated with the separation resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft during flight.
Cause Determination
The exact reason for the propeller blade separation was not determined. No definitive cause could be established from the available evidence.
What happened in the 28 Dec 1987 Cessna 172 accident near Goodyear, AZ?
During a cross-country flight at 7,500 ft MSL, severe vibration prompted the pilot to shut down the engine and land. Inspection revealed a propeller blade section had separated, causing substantial in-flight damage. The separation cause remains undetermined.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 28 Dec 1987 involved a Cessna 172, registration N4297F, at Goodyear, AZ.
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