YUBA CITY, CA, USA
N48658
GRUMMAN G164B
THE PILOT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL APPLICATION FLIGHT. AS THE AIRPLANE NEARED THE COMPLETION OF A PROCEDURE TURNAROUND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE PILOT REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND LANDED IN A RICE FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE PILOT OBSERVED A BERM AND APPLIED FULL BRAKING AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER DISCLOSED THAT A 6 INCH SECTION OF THE TIP END OF ONE BLADE SEPARATED. THE FRACTURED AREA DISPLAYED FATIGUE STRIATION SIGNATURES.
FATIGUE IN THE PROPELLER BLADE WHICH LED TO ITS ULTIMATE FAILURE. FACTORS RELATING TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE SOFT TERRAIN CONDITIONS ON WHICH THE AIRPLANE LANDED AND A BERM ACROSS THE AIRPLANE'S GROUND PATH.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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