Ryan NAVION accident near Flagstaff, Arizona, May 16, 1995
On May 16, 1995 at about 6:38 pm local time, a Ryan NAVION, registered N41151, was substantially damaged in an accident near Flagstaff, Arizona (Pulliam Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The owner/pilot improper installation of the propeller by failing to properly connect the pitch change mechanism.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 16, 1995 · about 6:38 pm local time
- Place
- Flagstaff, Arizona · Pulliam Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ryan NAVION · all NAVIONs on the register
- Registration
- N41151 · no longer on the register · serial 4-1151
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, A PROPELLER BLADE ROTATED TOWARD THE FEATHER POSITION. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND LANDED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY ON AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIRPLANE THEN ROLLED DOWN THE EMBANKMENT. EXAMINATION OF THE PROPELLER ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT A PITCH CHANGE CONTROL ROD END NUT BACKED OFF AND CONTACTED THE ENGINE CASE. THIS CONTACT CAUSED THE PITCH CHANGE CONTROL ROD TO FAIL, WHICH ALLOWED THE PROPELLER BLADE TO ROTATE. THE PILOT, A CERTIFICATED MECHANIC, INSTALLED THE PROPELLER ABOUT 4 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 15, 1995
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental E-225 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: WHP Pacoima CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 6,999 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:03 pm from FLG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.