PORTSMOUTH, OH, USA
N87945
PIPER J-3
THE PILOT SAID, 'WE WERE AT 2500 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE STARTED EXPERIENCING A VERY VIOLENT VIBRATION....IT WAS VIBRATING SO BADLY I WAS AFRAID IT WAS GOING TO SHAKE THE ENGINE OFF THE AIRPLANE....I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF.' HE MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD WITH HIGH VEGITATION. THE FAA REPORT SAID, '...THE ENGINE VIBRATION WAS DUE TO WOOD PROPELLER DELAMINATION OVER ONE BLADE LEADING EDGE AND TIP. TRACES OF RUST WERE FOUND ON THE WOOD WHERE THE METAL INLAY WAS ATTACHED WITH STEEL SCREWS TO THE WOOD.' THE PROPELLER MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT STEEL SCREWS ARE USED TO SECURE THE LEADING EDGE TO THE WOOD BLADE.
THE FAILURE OF THE PROPELLER LEADING EDGE AS THE RESULT OF CORROSION AND THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ON UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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