Accident Piper PA-28R-200 N5032S, Friday 3 July 1987

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Date:	Friday 3 July 1987
Time:	08:30 LT
Type:	Piper PA-28R-200
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N5032S
MSN:	28R35794
Total airframe hrs:	2350 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming IO-360
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Lordsburg, NM - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Chandler, AZ (P19)
Destination airport:	Carlsbad, NM (KCNM)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
WHILE EN ROUTE ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, A SEVERE ENG VIBRATION BEGAN. THE PLT REDUCED POWER & SLOWED THE AIRSPEED TO REDUCE THE SEVERITY OF THE VIBRATION. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE ELECTED TO MAKE A WHEELS-UP LANDING ON ROCKY DESERT TERRAIN. AFTER LANDING, HE DISCOVERED THE TIP OF ONE PROP BLADE HAD BROKEN OFF IN FLT. A METALLURGICAL EXAM REVEALED EVIDENCE OF FATIGUE FAILURE WHICH ORIGINATED NEAR THE LEADING EDGE OF THE BLADE.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: