On August 20, 2003, a Piper PA-28-140 (registration N8496R) was involved in an aviation accident near Winchester, TN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A maintenance personnel failure to follow propeller inspection procedures that resulted in a fatigue failure of a propeller blade and the subsequent forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
While in cruise at 4,500 feet, the airplane began shaking violently. The pilot shut down the engine, observed a missing propeller blade tip, and executed a forced landing in a field. Examination revealed a fatigue fracture originating from a preexisting nick in the propeller.
Accident Details
According to the pilot, while cruising at 4,500 feet mean sea level, the airplane experienced violent shaking. The pilot promptly shut down the engine and observed that part of one propeller blade was missing. A forced landing was then executed in a field located approximately 12 miles east of Winchester, Tennessee.
Examination Findings
Post-accident examination of the downed airplane revealed that the propeller was fractured 17.5 inches from the hub center. Fatigue features were present, originating from a nick on the flat face of the propeller. Paint from the flat face extended into the nick, indicating that the nick existed at the time of the last painting. The shape of the nick boundary further indicated that it had not been blended or smoothed out.
What happened in the 20 Aug 2003 Piper PA-28-140 accident near Winchester, TN?
While in cruise at 4,500 feet, the airplane began shaking violently. The pilot shut down the engine, observed a missing propeller blade tip, and executed a forced landing in a field. Examination revealed a fatigue fracture originating from a preexisting nick in the propeller.
Were there any fatalities in the 20 Aug 2003 Piper PA-28-140 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 20 Aug 2003 involved a Piper PA-28-140, registration N8496R, at Winchester, TN.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
A maintenance personnel failure to follow propeller inspection procedures that resulted in a fatigue failure of a propeller blade and the subsequent forced landing.
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