TUSCALOOSA, AL, USA
N3016P
PIPER PA-23-170
DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE RIGHT ENGINE WAS SHUT DOWN AND THE PROP FEATHERED AFTER A VIBRATION WAS FELT. THE FLIGHT CONTINUED TO ITS INTENDED DESTINATION. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE RIGHT PROP ROTATING WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, EVEN THOUGH THE CREW HAD FEATHERED IT. AFTER LANDING, THE A&P CERTIFICATED, AIRPLANE OWNER BEGAN TROUBLESHOOTING THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. ONE BLADE FROM THE RT PROP SEPARATED WITH THE ENGINE AT 2000 RPM, PENETRATING A HANGAR AND THE WINDSHIELD OF A PARKED AIRPLANE. A SERIES OF FATIGUE CRACKS ON THE HUB, ORIGINATING AT OR NEAR THE HUB SURFACE, WERE LOCATED NEAR THE HUB SPIDER. THE PROPELLER HAD BEEN EXPOSED TO A GROUND STRIKE 217 HOURS BEFORE THE FAILURE. IT WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE AFTER INSPECTION AND OVERHAUL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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