# Propeller assembly - Type: NTSB finding subsection - Path: [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01) › [Aircraft propeller/rotor](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/0104) › [Propeller system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/010461) › Propeller assembly - NTSB code: 01046110 - Cases: 29 - In the probable cause: 27 - Fatal cases: 2 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 2 / 2 - 2009: 1 / 1 - 2010: 2 / 2 - 2011: 1 / 2 - 2012: 4 / 4 - 2013: 3 / 3 - 2014: 2 / 2 - 2015: 2 / 2 - 2017: 3 / 3 - 2018: 1 / 1 - 2021: 1 / 2 - 2023: 2 / 2 - 2024: 2 / 2 - 2025: 1 / 1 ## Defining events in these cases - [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 10 cases - [Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341): 5 cases - [Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340): 5 cases - [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 3 cases - [Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240): 2 cases - [Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900): 1 cases - [Flight control sys malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/333): 1 cases - [Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250): 1 cases - [Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 1 cases - [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23): 1 cases - [Piper PA-18-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18-150): 1 cases - [Gulfstream American AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5b): 1 cases - [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b): 1 cases - [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g): 1 cases - [Bucker Jungmann C.A.S.A. 1.131](https://openairdocs.org/model/bucker-jungmann-c-a-s-a-1-131): 1 cases - [Beech A36](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36): 1 cases - [Beech A36TC](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-a36tc): 1 cases - [Beech V35B](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-v35b): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Installation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062035) (Personnel issues): 7 cases - [Modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030) (Personnel issues): 3 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 3 cases - [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 2 cases - [Equipment manufacture](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04013010) (Organizational issues): 2 cases - [Equipment design](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04011010) (Organizational issues): 2 cases - [Aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040) (Personnel issues): 2 cases - [Fabrication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062025) (Personnel issues): 2 cases - [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 2 cases - [Airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010) (Aircraft): 2 cases ## Newest cases - [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 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 WPR24FA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24FA053), Dec 8, 2023: Beauchamp Norm Kitfox (N66180), Eloy, AZ, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: 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… - [NTSB WPR23LA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA149), Apr 9, 2023: Stevens Kelly C RV-7 (N17NK), Morgan, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/builder improperly torqued the propeller attachment bolts while reinstalling the propeller, which resulted in the fatigue failure of the bolts and the separation of the propeller assembly. - [NTSB ERA21LA289](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA289), Jul 15, 2021: Piper PA-23 (N776MC), Easton, MD, substantial damage. Probable cause: A total loss of left engine power and uncommanded feathering of the left propeller for reasons that could not be determined. - [NTSB ERA21LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA223), May 15, 2021: Zenith Zodiac 601 XL (N493TG), McKenzie, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper installation and inspection of the propeller, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the propeller assembly. - [NTSB CEN18LA117](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN18LA117), Feb 17, 2018: Black Donald Cozy III (N904DB), Los Lunas, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The seizure of the propeller gearbox for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information, which resulted in a forced landing. - [NTSB ANC18LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC18LA008), Nov 11, 2017: Cloud Jeffrey Ferrell Long EZ (N754T), Eufaula, AL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight separation of a portion of the propeller, which subsequently penetrated the right rudder, as a result of the failure of the bond line between two of the propeller’s wood layers.… - [NTSB CEN17LA333](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA333), Aug 28, 2017: Gulfstream American AA 5B (N28005), Carbondale, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the propeller due to fatigue as a result of improper installation by unknown maintenance personnel at some point during the life of the propeller. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.