Narrative:
During a cruise climb, the aircrew noted an unusual vibration; however, attempts to isolate the vibration were unsuccessful. While climbing from FL190 to FL250, the flight engineer went aft to observe the engines & props, but noted nothing unusual. A flight attendant went forward to advise the captain that nothing was observed, when the vibration increased in intensity. As she left the cockpit, she peered out the right window and saw the no. 4 prop separate and strike the aircraft. This caused major damage to the lower fuselage and resulted in decompression of the cabin. The flight controls became jammed and the engines would not respond to throttle movement. The autopilot was used for minimal control and the flight crew were able to divert to Anchorage, AK. They were able to climb and descend by retracting and extending the landing gear with the no. 2 eng shut down. The aircraft was landed safety and the engines were shut down to decelerate. The exact cause of the prop separation was not determined since it fell in the ocean during the occurrence.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Propeller system/accessories..undetermined."
Forced landing on runway
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Wednesday 8 June 1983 |
| Time: | 13:55 |
| Type: |  Lockheed L-188C Electra |
| Operator: | Reeve Aleutian Airways |
| Registration: | N1968R |
| MSN: | 2007 |
| First flight: | 1959-11-19 (23 years 7 months) |
| Total airframe hrs: | 32994 |
| Engines: | 4 Allison 501-D13 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 10 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 15 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | near Cold Bay Airport, AK (CDB) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Cold Bay Airport, AK (CDB/PACD), United States of America |
| Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, WA (SEA/KSEA), United States of America | |
| Flightnumber: | 8 |
During a cruise climb, the aircrew noted an unusual vibration; however, attempts to isolate the vibration were unsuccessful. While climbing from FL190 to FL250, the flight engineer went aft to observe the engines & props, but noted nothing unusual. A flight attendant went forward to advise the captain that nothing was observed, when the vibration increased in intensity. As she left the cockpit, she peered out the right window and saw the no. 4 prop separate and strike the aircraft. This caused major damage to the lower fuselage and resulted in decompression of the cabin. The flight controls became jammed and the engines would not respond to throttle movement. The autopilot was used for minimal control and the flight crew were able to divert to Anchorage, AK. They were able to climb and descend by retracting and extending the landing gear with the no. 2 eng shut down. The aircraft was landed safety and the engines were shut down to decelerate. The exact cause of the prop separation was not determined since it fell in the ocean during the occurrence.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Propeller system/accessories..undetermined."
Classification:
Prop/turbine blade separationForced landing on runway
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Cold Bay Airport, AK to Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, WA as the crow flies is 2870 km (1794 miles).
Distance from Cold Bay Airport, AK to Seattle/Tacoma International Airport, WA as the crow flies is 2870 km (1794 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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