Incident Overview

Date: Tuesday 5 March 1974
Aircraft Type: NAMC YS-11A-202
Owner/operator: Pacific Southwest Airlines – PSA
Registration Number: N208PA
Location: 14 km E of Borrego Springs, CA – ÿ United States of America
Phase of Flight: En route
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 4
Component Affected: Propeller hub contact switchesPropeller hub contact switches
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
A high-stop hang-up of both propellers occurred during a simulated stall maneuver, resulting in excessive turbine temperatures and subsequent engine failure. The crew’s attempts to recover from the stall failed, leading to a crash-landing in the desert. Excessive wear on propeller hub contact switches was a contributing factor, exacerbated by inadequate maintenance and inspection procedures. Improper operation of the powerplant and controls, coupled with insufficient supervision, contributed to the incident. The incident was likely triggered by a combination of factors including engine failure, miscellaneous acts, and conditions like excessive temperature.A high-stop hang-up of both propellers occurred during a simulated stall maneuver, resulting in excessive turbine temperatures and subsequent engine failure. The crew’s attempts to recover from the stall failed, leading to a crash-landing in the desert. Excessive wear on propeller hub contact switches was a contributing factor, exacerbated by inadequate maintenance and inspection procedures. Improper operation of the powerplant and controls, coupled with insufficient supervision, contributed to the incident. The incident was likely triggered by a combination of factors including engine failure, miscellaneous acts, and conditions like excessive temperature.

Description

A high-stop (cruise pitch) hang-up of both propellers at low airspeed (while the aircraft was entering a stall maneuvered) caused excessive temperatures in the turbine sections of both engines. When the training crew tried to recover from the simulated landing stall, the engines didn’t respond. The aircraft crash-landed in the desert. Excessive wear of the propeller hub contact switches was due to maintenance instruction deficiencies. Contributing was the crew non-adherence to prescribed procedures. PROBABLE CAUSE: personnel – maintenance,servicing,inspection: inadequate maintenance and inspection powerplant – propeller system: other dual student – improper operation of powerplant & powerplant controls pilot in command – inadequate supervision of flight FACTORS: miscellaneous acts,conditions – failure of two or more engines miscellaneous acts,conditions – excessive temperature miscellaneous acts,conditions – fire in engine miscellaneous acts,conditions – intentional wheels-up partial power loss – partial loss of power – 1 engine complete power loss – complete engine failure/flameout-1 engine

Primary Cause

Inadequate maintenance and inspection of the propeller system, specifically the propeller hub contact switches, combined with improper operation of the powerplant and controls, leading to a cascade of failures.Inadequate maintenance and inspection of the propeller system, specifically the propeller hub contact switches, combined with improper operation of the powerplant and controls, leading to a cascade of failures.

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