# Propeller system

- Type: NTSB finding section
- Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft propeller/rotor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0104) › Propeller system
- NTSB code: 010461
- Cases: 177
- In the probable cause: 165
- Fatal cases: 36
- All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010461/cases.md
- Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010461/cases.md?cause=1
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010461

## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all)

- 2008: 18 / 18
- 2009: 13 / 13
- 2010: 11 / 13
- 2011: 12 / 13
- 2012: 13 / 15
- 2013: 9 / 10
- 2014: 13 / 14
- 2015: 11 / 11
- 2016: 6 / 6
- 2017: 8 / 8
- 2018: 7 / 7
- 2019: 10 / 10
- 2020: 5 / 7
- 2021: 4 / 5
- 2022: 4 / 5
- 2023: 8 / 9
- 2024: 9 / 9
- 2025: 4 / 4

## Findings

- [Propeller blade section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111): 51 cases, 48 in the probable cause
- [Propeller assembly](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110): 29 cases, 27 in the probable cause
- [Propeller feather/reversing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046123): 26 cases, 23 in the probable cause
- [Propeller controlling system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046120): 25 cases, 23 in the probable cause
- [Propeller system, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046100): 20 cases, 17 in the probable cause
- [Propeller governor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046122): 16 cases, 16 in the probable cause
- [Propeller hub section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046114): 13 cases, 12 in the probable cause
- [Prop/spinner section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046113): 5 cases, 5 in the probable cause
- [Propeller indicating system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046140): 1 cases, 0 in the probable cause
- [Propeller/propulsor wiring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046197): 1 cases, 1 in the probable cause

## Defining events in these cases

- [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 43 cases
- [Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340): 42 cases
- [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 17 cases
- [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 13 cases
- [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 13 cases
- [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 9 cases
- [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 7 cases
- [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 4 cases
- [Landing area overshoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/380): 3 cases
- [Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000): 3 cases

## Aircraft models (registry)

- [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b): 3 cases
- [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30): 2 cases
- [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 2 cases
- [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 2 cases
- [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 2 cases
- [Mooney M20K](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20k): 2 cases
- [Mooney M20J](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20j): 2 cases
- [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b): 2 cases
- [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s): 2 cases
- [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 2 cases

## Other findings in the same cases

- [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 21 cases
- [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 20 cases
- [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 19 cases
- [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 16 cases
- [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 15 cases
- [Use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015) (Personnel issues): 14 cases
- [Delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025) (Personnel issues): 11 cases
- [Performance/control parameters, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000) (Aircraft): 8 cases
- [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 7 cases
- [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 6 cases

## Newest cases

- [NTSB ERA25LA236](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA236), Jun 20, 2025: Sting Sport TL-2000 (N878N), Dunavant, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The inflight failure of the propeller due to its exceedance of the manufacturer’s overhaul requirement.
- [NTSB ANC25LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC25LA028), Mar 27, 2025: Piper PA-28-140 (N261FC), Royal Kunia, HI, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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), Mar 10, 2025: Vans RV-7A (N923ZA), Plainview, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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…
- [NTSB WPR25LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA096), Feb 16, 2025: Cessna 150J (N151GW), Minersville, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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…
- [NTSB CEN25LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA007), Oct 8, 2024: Mooney M20E (N9151V), Richmond, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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 ERA24LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA332), Jul 28, 2024: Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131 (N1041U), Red Hook, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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…
- [NTSB WPR24LA260](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA260), Jul 23, 2024: Kitfox Series V (N53562), La Grande, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: 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), Jul 21, 2024: Williams John Titan T-51 Mustang (N751TX), Geneva, OH, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: 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…
- [NTSB ANC24LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA064), Jul 13, 2024: Dehavilland DHC-2T (N535KT), Petersville, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: An in-flight loss of thrust due to an uncommanded feathering of the propeller for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA24LA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA303), Jul 10, 2024: Jones LONG-EZ (N4JZ), Thomasville, GA, substantial damage

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008; earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes and aren't counted.

Findings: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings.md. Defining events: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events.md. Phases of flight: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases.md. Every investigation, filtered by finding, event, phase, state, year or model: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md (for example ?state=MI&fatal=1).

NTSB's definitions: Accident and incident, 49 CFR 830.2 (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-830/subpart-A/section-830.2), CICTT occurrence categories (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/OccurrenceCategoryDefinitions.pdf), CICTT phases of flight (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Documents/datafiles/PhaseofFlightDefinitions.pdf), and NTSB coding manual, before 2008 (PDF) (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). NTSB publishes no definitions for its findings, only their names.

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