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Propeller system, general

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NTSB finding · Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system

All 20 cases17 in the probable cause
Cases
20
In the probable cause
17 (85%)
Fatal cases
7
NTSB code
01046100

NTSB has coded findings and defining events since 2008. Earlier cases used its older occurrence and cause codes, so they aren’t counted here.

When and where

In green, cases where NTSB made it part of the probable cause; in gray, a factor or other finding. Findings are coded with the final report, often a year or more after the event, so the latest years are incomplete.

Cases per year

2008In the probable causeFactor only2026

Where

Open the map
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT year(c.\"eventDate\") AS year, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases,
    count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) FILTER (WHERE f.\"inProbableCause\") AS in_probable_cause
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c ON c.\"mKey\" = f.case_mkey
  WHERE starts_with(f.\"findingCode\", '01046100') AND c.\"eventDate\" >= DATE '2000-01-01'
  GROUP BY 1
  ORDER BY 1"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

In the same cases

Defining events
Aircraft models

Aircraft matched to the registry by N-number and date.

Other findings
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "WITH matched AS (SELECT DISTINCT case_mkey, aircrafts_position FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' WHERE starts_with(\"findingCode\", '01046100'))
  SELECT * FROM (
  SELECT 'Defining event' AS kind, e.\"tier2Number\" AS code, max(e.\"eventTier2Name\") AS name, count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey) AS cases
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_events.parquet' e ON e.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND e.aircrafts_position = f.aircrafts_position AND e.\"isDefiningEvent\"
  WHERE e.\"tier2Number\" <> ''
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Aircraft model', a.aircraft_model_code, any_value(concat_ws(' ', m.manufacturer, m.model)), count(DISTINCT f.case_mkey)
  FROM matched f JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = f.case_mkey AND a.position = f.aircrafts_position
  LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/faa_aircraft_model.parquet' m ON m.code = a.aircraft_model_code
  WHERE a.aircraft_model_code IS NOT NULL
  GROUP BY ALL
  UNION ALL
  SELECT 'Other finding', left(g.\"findingCode\", 8), max(g.\"tier4Name\"), count(DISTINCT g.case_mkey)
  FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' g
  WHERE g.case_mkey IN (SELECT case_mkey FROM matched) AND NOT starts_with(g.\"findingCode\", '01046100') AND g.\"findingCode\" GLOB '[0-9][0-9]*'
  GROUP BY ALL
  )
  QUALIFY row_number() OVER (PARTITION BY kind ORDER BY cases DESC) <= 10
  ORDER BY kind, cases DESC"

Prints the counts as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.

Newest cases · 20

NTSB WPR20LA270Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA 14 · Susanville, CAThe pilot’s decision to conduct a steep departure at a high-density altitude and the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a climb, which resulted in an accelerated stall and subsequent loss of control. Contributing to the accident was…Aug 15, 2020 · N91449 · Substantial damageNTSB ERA17FA050Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCurtiss JN4 · Williamson, GAThe in-flight failure of the propeller due to excessive engine vibration loads and the use of an incorrectly-sized propeller, which resulted in a fatigue crack of the leading edge strip. Contributing to the accident was the inadequate repair of the propeller…Nov 17, 2016 · N1662 · DestroyedNTSB ERA16FA325Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportMooney M20J · Pittstown, NJThe pilot's improper landing touchdown attitude, which resulted in a propeller strike, and his inappropriate decision to abort the landing after the propeller had contacted the runway, which resulted in a loss of thrust and led to an aerodynamic stall during…Sep 25, 2016 · N526AM · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14LA279Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFrederick Hays-Roth Velocity Twin · Sebastian, FLThe pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing. Also causal to the accident were the pilot’s subsequent delayed decision to abort the landing and his improper execution of the aborted landing, which resulted in the airplane exceeding…Jun 2, 2014 · N360VT · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14LA235Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPazmany PL 4 · Yates City, ILA loss of propeller thrust due to a failure of the reduction drive unit resulting from the improper installation of the unit. Contributing to the accident was a lack of documentation for the reduction drive unit installation.May 10, 2014 · N44PL · Substantial damageNTSB CEN14CA039Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal reportWohaska John Parsons Stiles Gyro · Festus, MOThe pilot's improper propeller adjustment, which resulted in decreased performance and a loss of aircraft control.Oct 20, 2013 · N7064U · Substantial damageNTSB ERA14LA004Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcdonald Howard Brian Zenair 701 · Zephyrhills, FLThe failure of the propeller speed reduction unit drive belts due to inadequate belt tension being applied during installation, which resulted in a complete loss of thrust.Oct 19, 2013 · N538HB · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12LA539Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGn-1 Aircamper Mathes · Burlington, WIThe pilot's improper installation of the propeller bolts, which resulted in the in-flight separation of the propeller.Aug 11, 2012 · N31TM · Substantial damageNTSB CEN12CA597Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportBordelon Bruce Kitfox IV · Castlerock, MNPropeller system failure during a go-around maneuver resulting in a forced landing. Contributing to the severity of damage to the airplane was the postimpact fire.Jul 31, 2012 · N396BK · DestroyedNTSB WPR12LA265Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRoetman Ryland K JR Eagle · Rexburg, IDA loss of engine oil pressure, which led to the subsequent uncommanded loss of thrust and decrease in the propeller rpm during a low-level aerobatic maneuver.Jun 16, 2012 · N106BD · Substantial damage
See all 20 cases
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "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\", '01046100'))
  ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"

Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.