TILLAR, AR, USA
N3159X
AIR TRACTOR AT-301
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PROP RPM BECAME ERRATIC. ON APPROACH, THE PROP RAN COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL, CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO NOSE DOWN INTO A PLOWED FIELD JUST SHORT OF THE LANDING AREA. THE A/C HIT ON THE MAIN LANDING GEAR, BROKE THEM OFF, THEN IT NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE PROPELLER FOUND THAT ALL OF THE DOWEL PINS THAT FIX THE DOME STATIONARY TO THE HUB ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED. THIS FAILURE WAS THE RESULT OF THE BARREL SHIMS BEING PARTIALLY INSTALLED ALONG THE EDGE OF THE DOME INSTEAD OF FLAT AGAINST THE DOME SHELF IN THE HUB. THE RESULT WAS THE BLADES BECOMING DISENGAGED FROM THE GEARING.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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