On July 13, 1996, a Piper PA-28-180 (registration N5388L) operated by Sun Air Aviation, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Palm Springs, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the failure of a propeller blade as a result of undetected in-service mechanical damage that caused a stress point that progressed to a point of failure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During climb, a loud bang and severe vibration prompted the pilot to shut down the engine and glide to an off-airport landing. Postaccident examination found a missing propeller blade section and crack progression from the trailing edge.
Accident Summary
During the departure climb at about 2,500 feet above mean sea level, the pilot heard a loud bang followed by severe airframe vibration. The pilot immediately closed the throttle and pulled the mixture control into idle cutoff. Establishing a glide, the pilot then made an uneventful off-airport landing.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination revealed that approximately 20 inches of one propeller blade was missing. The remaining propeller blade and hub were sent to the Safety Board's Materials Testing Laboratory for analysis. The analysis report documented a crack progression that began at the blade's trailing edge and migrated forward through about 50 percent of the chord. At that point, the blade failed from overload. The report indicated that a mechanical type damage had occurred at the trailing edge crack initiation point. According to records, at the time of the accident the engine and propeller had accumulated 307.24 hours since overhaul.
What happened in the 13 Jul 1996 Piper PA-28-180 accident near Palm Springs, CA?
During climb, a loud bang and severe vibration prompted the pilot to shut down the engine and glide to an off-airport landing. Postaccident examination found a missing propeller blade section and crack progression from the trailing edge.
Were there any fatalities in the 13 Jul 1996 Piper PA-28-180 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 13 Jul 1996 involved a Piper PA-28-180, registration N5388L, operated by Sun Air Aviation, Inc., at Palm Springs, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
the failure of a propeller blade as a result of undetected in-service mechanical damage that caused a stress point that progressed to a point of failure.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…