Ryan ST-3KR N780SR

Summary

On 20 October 2007 at about 14:00 local time, a Ryan ST-3KR registered N780SR, operated by Joseph Mark Ford, was involved in an accident near Unadilla, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 October 2007 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Unadilla, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

32.2495, -83.7304

Aircraft

Ryan ST-3KR

Registration

N780SR

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Joseph Mark Ford

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Adel → Perry

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC08LA015

Nobody was injured.

The improper propeller installation by the mechanic.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was flying the recently-acquired airplane on a cross-country flight. During the descent for landing, the engine shook violently followed by the wooden propeller blades separating at the hub. The pilot landed the airplane in a field, resulting in substantial damage. The previous owner had the propeller replaced with an older one prior to delivery of the airplane, stating that he did not want the new owner to "ding up the expensive new prop." Examination of the remaining hub and attachment bolt revealed evidence of fatigue failure due to excessive looseness of the attachment bolts. The mechanic who replaced the propeller did not adequately document its replacement. Reportedly, the propeller that failed had been in storage for 30 years, and showed evidence of gray staining deep into the wood, indicative of significant moisture penetration over an extended period of time.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.