# NTSB investigations: Aircraft propeller/rotor

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 10 · 476 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB CEN26LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA081.md): Ela ELA10 · Morris, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 23, 2025 · N396S · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure obtain the proper rotor rpm before applying power for the takeoff roll which resulted in a loss of control.
- [NTSB WPR26LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA062.md): Bell 407 · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 15, 2025 · N404LL · Substantial damage
  > Tail rotor blade impact from an unidentified object at an undetermined time.
- [NTSB WPR25LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA203.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Park City, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 6, 2025 · N715SG · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain rotor rpm during an approach to landing in a mountainous area, which resulted in a collision with terrain.
- [NTSB ERA25LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA236.md): Sting Sport TL-2000 · Dunavant, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 20, 2025 · N878N · Substantial damage
  > The inflight failure of the propeller due to its exceedance of the manufacturer’s overhaul requirement.
- [NTSB ANC25LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA028.md): Piper PA-28-140 · Royal Kunia, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 27, 2025 · N261FC · Substantial damage
  > Improper alteration of the crankshaft propeller flange at an unknown time, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the propeller assembly.
- [NTSB CEN25LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA117.md): Vans RV-7A · Plainview, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2025 · N923ZA · Substantial damage
  > The improper machining of the propeller blade bearing seat, which resulted in an inflight propeller blade fatigue failure. Contributing to the accident was the improper machining of the propeller hub and propeller blade root and machining surface quality…
- [NTSB WPR25LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA096.md): Cessna 150J · Minersville, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 16, 2025 · N151GW · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the propeller blade due to fatigue that originated from an impact pit sustained at an unknown time. Contributing to the accident was the failure of unknown maintenance personnel to detect and repair the impact pit before painting the propeller,…
- [NTSB WPR25LA093](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA093.md): Airbus Helicopters EC 130 T2 · Moab, UT · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 13, 2025 · N3WL · Substantial damage
  > The inflight collision with debris during takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA25LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA040.md): Hughes 369D · Waycross, GA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 5, 2024 · N11AS · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with a foreign object, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with terrain.
- [NTSB CEN25LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA013.md): Rotorway Exec · Plymouth, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 11, 2024 · N314AC · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control due to the failed forward tail rotor belt as a result of the owner’s failure to follow the helicopter manufacturer’s tail rotor belt replacement recommendations.
- [NTSB WPR25LA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA010.md): Enstrom Helicopter 280C · Vale, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 9, 2024 · N646H · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain engine and rotor rpm during takeoff, that resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB CEN25LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA007.md): Mooney M20E · Richmond, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2024 · N9151V · Substantial damage
  > The partial separation of a portion of the propeller spinner and its mounting bulkhead along with the upper cowl fairing while in a full-power climb.
- [NTSB WPR24LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA319.md): Bell 206L · Fern Prairie, WA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 26, 2024 · N9984K · Substantial damage
  > An aeroelastic interaction between the helicopter’s main rotor blades and nodal beam system, which resulted in oscillations that exceeded the design limits of the tailboom. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the main rotor blade manufacturer to…
- [NTSB CEN24LA358](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA358.md): Hughes 369 · Canton, MI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 11, 2024 · N8969F · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue cracking of the main rotor blade that occurred at an undetermined time.
- [NTSB ANC24LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA077.md): Robinson R44 · Honolulu, HI · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 19, 2024 · N740RH · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the flex plate yoke flange assembly due to incorrectly torqued bolts. Contributing was the maintenance personnel’s inadequate inspection of the tail rotor flex plate assembly.
- [NTSB ERA24LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA332.md): Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131 · Red Hook, NY · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 28, 2024 · N1041U · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage
  > The Great Lakes pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the Bucker Jungmann while maneuvering during an air show, which resulted in a midair collision, the inability of the Bucker Jungmann to maintain altitude, and its subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA260.md): Kitfox Series V · La Grande, OR · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 23, 2024 · N53562 · Substantial damage
  > Separation of the propeller blades from progressive damage at the blade roots due to overtightening of the hub bolts.
- [NTSB ERA24FA310](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA310.md): Williams John Titan T-51 Mustang · Geneva, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 21, 2024 · N751TX · Substantial damage
  > A sudden propeller overspeed and subsequent separation of the propeller blades and hub, while maneuvering at high speed and at low altitude, which resulted in a collision with a tree during the subsequent forced landing attempt.
- [NTSB WPR24LA243](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA243.md): Mcdonnell Douglas Helicopter 369E · Cottonwood, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N473E · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s low-speed, high-power maneuvering in high density altitude and near maximum gross weight, which resulted in an uncommanded right yaw due to a loss of tail rotor effectiveness and a subsequent hard landing.
- [NTSB ANC24LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA064.md): Dehavilland DHC-2T · Petersville, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N535KT · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight loss of thrust due to an uncommanded feathering of the propeller for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ANC24FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24FA063.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 · Kekaha, HI · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 11, 2024 · N144KW · Substantial damage
  > An encounter with turbulence due to downdraft winds that resulted in mast bumping and an in-flight breakup.
- [NTSB ERA24LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA303.md): Jones LONG-EZ · Thomasville, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 10, 2024 · N4JZ · Substantial damage
  > The pilot reported that he was maneuvering around weather at 11,500 ft mean sea level (msl) when he made a rapid descent to 3,500 ft msl to remain clear of clouds. He reported that he did not exceed the airplane’s maneuvering speed during the descent, and…
- [NTSB CEN24FA248](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24FA248.md): Rotorway Scorpion 133 · Andale, KS · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jul 5, 2024 · N51017 · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s abrupt control inputs, which resulted in a low-G condition, main rotor mast bumping, and subsequent severing of the tailboom by the main rotor blades.
- [NTSB ERA24LA276](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA276.md): Snyder Searey · New Ipswich, NH · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2024 · N453TS · Substantial damage
  > A total loss of engine power due to the exhaust muffler and tailpipe assembly separating from its attach points and impacting the propeller.
- [NTSB ERA24LA263](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA263.md): Rotorway Exec · Alva, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 14, 2024 · N99TE · Substantial damage
  > A loss of tail rotor control as a result of unsecured tail rotor drive belt tensioner bolts.
- [NTSB ERA24LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA223.md): Beechcraft TC-12B · Lehigh Acres, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 20, 2024 · N762MC · Substantial damage
  > The asymmetric reverse thrust during the landing roll for reasons that could not be determined, resulting in the flightcrew’s inability to maintain directional control and a subsequent runway excursion.
- [NTSB ERA24LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA208.md): Admore International Jets Aircam · DeLand, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2024 · N848HP · Substantial damage
  > The uncommanded movement of the left propeller into reverse during approach for undetermined reasons, resulting in an in-flight loss of control of the airplane at low altitude during approach.
- [NTSB ERA24LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA205.md): Airbus Helicopters AS350B3 · Plant City, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 1, 2024 · N413JM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadequate yaw control of the helicopter while maneuvering at a low altitude and airspeed, which resulted in a hard landing.
- [NTSB WPR24LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA134.md): Bell 206L-3 · Tracy, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Apr 23, 2024 · N17592 · Substantial damage
  > A loss of collective control authority due to fatigue failure of the collective servo cylinder extension arms from corrosion pitting.
- [NTSB ANC24LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA017.md): MD Helicopter 369E/500E · Kekaha, HI · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 27, 2024 · N633JH · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s noncompliance with maintenance manual procedures that required the removal of the overrunning clutch output bearing during the regreasing procedure, which resulted in inadequate regreasing of the bearing and the subsequent failure of…
- [NTSB CEN24LA187](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA187.md): Aviat A1 · Poole, NE · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Feb 11, 2024 · N122HU · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s failure to configure the airplane for takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion.
- [NTSB ANC24LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA013.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Glacier View, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Feb 11, 2024 · N74868 · Substantial damage
  > A sudden stoppage of the tail rotor for unknown reasons, which resulted in the tortional overload failure of the tail rotor driveshaft.
- [NTSB WPR24LA067](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA067.md): Bell 206B · El Centro, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 24, 2023 · N111PM · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight failure of the engine-to-transmission driveshaft due to a fatigue fracture of the forward-most flex plate in the forward KAflex coupling that resulted from a loose bolt attachment between the flex plate and the forward driveshaft coupling.…
- [NTSB WPR24FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA053.md): Beauchamp Norm Kitfox · Eloy, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Dec 8, 2023 · N66180 · Destroyed
  > The separation of a propeller blade during the initial climb due to insufficient blade retention forces. Contributing to the accident was the propeller blade retention design, manufacturing defects that prevented the propeller from achieving adequate grip…
- [NTSB CEN24LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA061.md): Cessna 421C · McGregor, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Dec 8, 2023 · N146TJ · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the spring pin in the right propeller governor, which precluded the pilot from controlling the propeller pitch to maintain engine rpm, resulting in a loss of engine thrust, excessive drag, and the subsequent forced landing to a field.
- [NTSB CEN24LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA038.md): Bede BD-4 · Lowell, IN · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Nov 14, 2023 · N931AS · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue cracking of the propeller blade root, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the propeller blade from its root. Contributing to the accident was the improper machining of the blade root threads, which resulted in chatter/ratchet marks that…
- [NTSB CEN24LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA013.md): Magni M24 · Mount Sterling, IL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 16, 2023 · N90HM · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain gyroplane control on the downwind leg, which resulted in impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s distraction.
- [NTSB ERA23LA369](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA369.md): Eurocopter Deutschland EC135T2 · Fargo, GA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 13, 2023 · N273AM · Substantial damage
  > The separation of the outer span of a tail rotor blade during flight as a result of localized intergranular corrosion due to a diminished protective coating at a critical location on the tail rotor blade surface that, combined with cyclic loading, resulted in…
- [NTSB CEN23LA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA385.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 206 · Hibbing, MN · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 27, 2023 · N19BH · Substantial damage
  > The ground crew’s failure to secure the backpack at the landing zone (LZ), that resulted in the tail rotor impacting the backpack during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate selection of an area at the LZ, the lack of awareness…
- [NTSB WPR23LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA313.md): Bell OH-58A · Guernsey, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 9, 2023 · N861CC · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s overpitching of the main rotor blades while maneuvering at low altitude in a high-temperature environment at high gross weight, which resulted in a reduction of engine and rotor speed, excessive main rotor blade flapping, mast bumping, and impact…
- [NTSB ERA23LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA326.md): Hughes 369 · Elberon, VA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 5, 2023 · N353AH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line structure arm, which resulted in main rotor blade contact.
- [NTSB DCA23LA397](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA23LA397.md): Supernal SUP83-1 · California City, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2023 · N183TD · Substantial damage
  > A loss of control in flight due to a loss of electrical power to one of the lift-motors.
- [NTSB WPR23LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA283.md): Beech C35 · Rock Springs, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2023 · N620D · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the propeller pitch control rod castellated nut hardware, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the pitch control bearing and subsequent loss of engine RPM and thrust.
- [NTSB ERA23LA293](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA293.md): Hughes 369D · Waldorf, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 9, 2023 · N5027P · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue failure of the overrunning clutch outer race and a subsequent inflight loss of power due to abnormal bending loads as a result of improper reassembly of the clutch subassembly following maintenance and the presence of microcracks on the clutch’s outer…
- [NTSB ERA23LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA289.md): Hughes 269A · Anderson, SC · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 27, 2023 · N90270 · Substantial damage
  > The mechanics’ improper torquing of the main rotor blade dampers, which resulted in a ground resonance event during landing.
- [NTSB ERA23LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA279.md): Edmisten Robert Eugene SR Rans S-14 Airaile · Bonaire, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N528RE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly adjust the propeller’s pitch angle, which resulted in a loss of thrust and an inability to maintain altitude.
- [NTSB ERA23FA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23FA274.md): Piper PA-30 · Claxton, GA · Accident · 3 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N7240Y · Substantial damage
  > The flight crew’s improper fuel management, which resulted in the airplane’s right engine being starved of fuel and its subsequent total loss of power.
- [NTSB CEN23LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA199.md): Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407 · Abbeville, LA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 23, 2023 · N451PH · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain proper helicopter control during autorotation that resulted in an abnormal ground contact which caused the subsequent main rotor strike on the tail boom that severed the tail rotor driveshaft. Contributing to the accident was…
- [NTSB CEN23FA183](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA183.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Brady, TX · Incident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · May 14, 2023 · N40506 · Substantial damage
  > The non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure the collective friction control was adequately engaged during an on-ground engine run, which resulted in the helicopter inadvertently becoming airborne. Contributing to the crash were the pilot’s various physical…
- [NTSB ERA23LA228](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA228.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Bradenton, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 11, 2023 · N62HT · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate rotor rpm during landing which resulted in a premature landing on uneven ground and a subsequent rollover.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0104/cases.md?page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '0104'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0104/cases

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