Accident Piper PA-44-180 Seminole N159WM,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 285992
 
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Date:Sunday 8 June 2008
Time:12:15 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic PA44 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Piper PA-44-180 Seminole
Owner/operator:Western Michigan University
Registration: N159WM
MSN: 4496159
Year of manufacture:2002
Total airframe hrs:1997 hours
Engine model:Lycoming LO-360-A1H6
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Battle Creek, Michigan -   United States of America
Phase: Standing
Nature:Training
Departure airport:Battle Creek-WK Kellogg Regional Airport, MI (BTL/KBTL)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The twin-engine airplane sustained substantial damage due to a separated propeller blade tip impacting the airplane's nose during cruise. The tip separation exhibited signs of fatigue failure. Witness marks consistent with tool file marks made during a leading edge repair were found at the area of the origin of fatigue. According to maintenance information published by the propeller manufacturer, a 10x magnifying glass should be used to examine repairs to ensure damage, file marks, and any course surface finish are removed prior to returning the propeller back to service.. The airplane accumulated a total time of 1,997 hours.

Probable Cause: The in-flight separation of the tip of a propeller blade due to metal fatigue that resulted from an inadequate inspection and repair.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: CHI08LA160
Status: Investigation completed
Duration:
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB CHI08LA160

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
02-Oct-2022 18:07 ASN Update Bot Added
17-Nov-2022 19:52 Ron Averes Updated [Aircraft type, Narrative]

Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description

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