Amateur-built ZENITH STOL CH 750 incident near Paragould, Arkansas, June 28, 2013
On June 28, 2013 at about 4:00 pm local time, a 2012 amateur-built ZENITH STOL CH 750, registered N699TX, suffered minor damage in an incident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Paragould, Arkansas (Kirk Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The improper installation of the propeller flange, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the propeller assembly.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 28, 2013 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Paragould, Arkansas · Kirk Field · map
- Type
- Incident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ZENITH STOL CH 750, built 2012
- Registration
- N699TX · registry record · serial 75-8037
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the climb after takeoff, the engine "developed an immediate and heavy vibration." The intensity of the vibration increased, and the pilot was considering shutting the engine down when the vibration abruptly ceased. Looking out the windshield, he observed that the propeller had separated from the airplane. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing to a field. Metallurgical examination determined that the propeller separation was initiated by a fatigue failure of two propeller flange-to-engine crankshaft flange attachment bolts. Further examination revealed that an incorrect thread lock compound was used on the propeller bolts, and the presence of a second compound suggested that the bolts were not properly cleaned before installation. In addition, washers used in the installation did not correspond with the washers specified by the manufacturer. Finally, extensive fretting damage to the propeller and crankshaft flanges in conjunction with the limited number of flight hours indicated that the attachment bolts were not torqued sufficiently at the time of installation. Available maintenance records did not include any entry noting that the propeller assembly had been removed since the initial installation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Part(s) separation from AC during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › Propeller assembly › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Other/unknown
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instructor: sport pilot; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 11,000 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 46 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 10,700 as pilot in command; 4,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 16, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 32 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 27, 2013; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Jabiru 3300 (piston); 32 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PGR Paragould AR at 3:50 pm
- Destination: ONZ Grosse Ile MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 4:00 pm from PGR, 2 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on July 17, 2014. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Airplane Maintenance Logbook | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Maintenance Logbook | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Materials Lab Factual Report | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Engine Manufacturer Service Bulletin | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.