NTSB investigations
51 cases where NTSB found Propeller blade section.
Cases per year
| 2008 | 5 |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
Where
Latest 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\", '01046111')) 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.
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", '01046111')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB ERA25LA236Accident · No injuriesClass 4 · LimitedFinal reportSting Sport TL-2000 · Dunavant, VAThe inflight failure of the propeller due to its exceedance of the manufacturer’s overhaul requirement.NTSB CEN25LA117Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportVans RV-7A · Plainview, TXThe 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 WPR25LA096Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 150J · Minersville, UTThe 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 ERA24FA310Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportWilliams John Titan T-51 Mustang · Geneva, OHA 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 ERA24LA303Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportJones LONG-EZ · Thomasville, GAThe 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 WPR24FA053Accident · 1 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportBeauchamp Norm Kitfox · Eloy, AZThe 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 CEN24LA038Accident · Minor injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBede BD-4 · Lowell, INFatigue 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 CEN23LA218Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper J3C · Romeoville, ILThe inflight failure of the propeller blade due to fatigue cracking from corrosion pits, initiating at the midpoint of the cambered face.NTSB ERA22FA387Accident · 2 fatalClass 3 · FieldFinal reportSea & Sky Krucker Cygnet · Emily, MNThe pilot’s operation of the weight-shift control aircraft over its design gross weight and his decision to take off with the engine operating at less than the specified takeoff rpm, which resulted in degraded takeoff and climb performance. Contributing to…NTSB CEN22LA250Incident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportBeech 58 · Evansville, INThe failure of the propeller blade due to high-cycle fatigue that originated from damage that occurred at an unknown time. Contributing to the accident was the failure to identify the damage before the accident flight.NTSB DCA22FA082Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · FieldFinal reportJoby Aero JAS4-2 · Jolon, CAThe separation of a propeller blade during expansion flight testing that resulted in cascading effects to include the separation of multiple propulsion motor/propeller assemblies and the loss of remote pilot control of the aircraft. Contributing to the…NTSB WPR21LA301Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Amado, AZThe inflight separation of a section of a propeller blade due to a fatigue crack, which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB CEN20LA207Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportIcon A5 · Duluth, MNThe pilot’s failure to remove an object from the airplane’s exterior, which impacted the propeller blades when he applied full power, causing them to fracture and damage the airplane.NTSB WPR20LA062Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportCessna 172H · El Monte, CAThe inflight separation of a section of a propeller blade due to a fatigue crack which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB GAA20CA039Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportZenair CH 701 · Safford, AZThe in-flight separation of a propeller blade for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in an off-airport landing on soft sand and the separation of main landing gear. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s…NTSB WPR19LA273Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportSmyth Sidewinder · Tucumcari, NMThe in-flight separation of a section of a propeller blade due to a fatigue crack, which resulted in a forced landing.NTSB CEN18LA301Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFlightstar SC II · Painesville, OHThe student pilot’s failure to maintain an airspeed below flight speed during a practice taxi run, which resulted in the airplane inadvertently becoming airborne. Once airborne, the reduced engine power due to an improper propeller pitch setting and…NTSB CEN18LA292Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedFinal reportGrumman AA5 · Brazoria, TXThe propeller blade separation due to a fatigue fracture.NTSB CEN18LA027Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRiggs Kenneth W T Bird II · St Mary's, KSThe loss of engine power due to a propeller failure when the passenger’s hat exited the cockpit and impacted the three-bladed pusher propeller, separating one of the propeller blades.NTSB ANC17LA052Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna A185 · Aniak, AKThe pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which failed to detect a crack in the propeller blade, which led to the separation of a section of a propeller blade due to fatigue.NTSB 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…NTSB CEN16LA015Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBobby Martin Autogyro MTO Sport · Wallisville, TXFracture of the pusher propeller blade due to impact damage from an unknown object while in flight, which resulted in a severe vibration and a loss of thrust.NTSB CEN15FA328Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportSocata TBM 700 · Milwaukee, WIThe pilot's improper pitch control during the landing, which resulted in the propeller striking the runway, and his failure to maintain adequate airspeed during the subsequent go-around, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack…NTSB WPR15LA149Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 18-150 · La Quinta, CAMaintenance personnel’s failure to properly repair a propeller deformation, which resulted in a fatigue crack, separation of a propeller blade tip, and forced landing onto uneven terrain.NTSB CEN15LA077Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportNew Piper PA 32R-301T · Springfield, MOThe pilot’s decision to descend below the recommended altitude during approach for landing in night visual meteorological conditions, and his failure to see and avoid a lighted tower, which resulted in collision with the tower and a subsequent total loss of…NTSB WPR15LA025Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Santa Monica, CAThe separation of a section of a propeller blade due to fatigue cracking. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to comply with the manufacturer’s maintenance and inspection instructions.NTSB WPR14LA377Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA 28 · Lone Pine, CAThe fatigue failure of a propeller blade due to a propeller strike by/of an unidentified object at an unknown time.NTSB CEN14LA305Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBollinger Robert L BD 4 · Fairfield, IAThe pilot’s loss of airplane control due to the in-flight separation of the propeller blades for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.NTSB ERA14LA202Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportOconnor Paul A Ultimate Aero 10-200 · Saint Albans, VTThe propeller blade’s failure due to fatigue cracks that initiated from pitch change pin attachment holes that had been drilled too deep during manufacture.NTSB ERA13LA075Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172F · Albemarle, NCThe student pilot's failure to remain clear of the airplane’s rotating propeller.NTSB CEN12LA655Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportTL Ultralight Sro Stingsport · Longmont, COThe failure of the wood propeller blades in flight. Contributing to the accident was the owner/operator’s failure to complete required inspections on the propeller within the specified interval, which reduced the likelihood of detecting the cracks and may…NTSB CEN12IA377Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Lacon, ILThe propeller blade’s failure due to a fatigue crack that originated from a surface gouge that resulted from foreign object damage to the propeller blade that occurred at an unknown time.NTSB ERA12IA169Incident · No injuriesIncident investigationFinal reportCessna 172S · Jackson, MSThe separation of the propeller blade tip due to fatigue cracking that initiated at the blade’s leading edge.NTSB CEN12LA125Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAviat A-1C-180 · McKinney, TXThe passenger's inadvertent contact with a rotating propeller after exiting the parked airplane. Contributing to the accident were the dark night conditions and the deplaning of the passenger while the propeller was turning.NTSB CEN11LA555Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Millsap, TXA sudden loss of engine thrust due to the separation of a propeller blade in cruise flight due to high cycle fatigue.NTSB CEN11LA527Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSnow Quickie 2 · Ashtabula, OHThe incorrect propeller pitch and lower-than-expected engine speed that did not allow the airplane to attain a proper climb rate during takeoff, and the subsequent hard landing that occurred when the pilot reduced power.NTSB CEN11FA253Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA46-350P · Monroe, MIThe pilot's demonstration of poor judgment by attempting a high-speed pass several feet above the runway and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from the runway.NTSB ERA11LA150Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportFlaglor Tom Kolb Aircraft MK III · Stetson, METhe in-flight failure of the No. 1 composite propeller blade due to fatigue, which resulted in a violent vibration, loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing to unsuitable terrain.NTSB CEN10LA484Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRammel Thomas W Searey · Cokato, MNSeparation of the composite skin on one of the three propeller blades that resulted in an in-flight vibration, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the water while maneuvering to avoid obstacles in preparation for a precautionary landing.NTSB WPR10LA317Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportWorgull Hornet · Camp Verde, AZThe in-flight separation of the exhaust clamps for an undetermined reason, which resulted in the exhaust system striking the wooden propeller.NTSB CEN10LA241Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHager Clinton Ray Vans RV-8 · Prague, OKThe in-flight separation of a propeller blade for undetermined reasons.NTSB WPR09LA340Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBender Kitfox · Valencia, CAThe failure and separation of a propeller blade for undetermined reasons.NTSB CEN09CA510Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportWohnoutka Steven M Team Z MAX · Iowa, LAA total loss of engine thrust during initial climb due to the failure of the airplane's propeller as a result of preexisting damage.NTSB CEN09CA386Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportHubbell Prescott Pusher · Ashville, OHA partial loss of engine power due to propeller damage from being struck by the cabin-entry door, which inadvertently opened and departed the airframe for undetermined reasons during flight.NTSB CEN09LA288Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSmysor Kevin Velocity · Katy, TXThe pilot's loss of control following an in-flight failure of the propeller.NTSB CEN09LA132Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American Avn. AA-5B · Milford, INA loss of engine thrust due to the separation of a section of one of the propeller blades as a result of fatigue failure of the propeller because of corrosion. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the mechanic to detect and address the propeller…NTSB MIA08CA178Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportDehavilland DH82A · Sevierville, TNThe failure of the wooden propeller.NTSB NYC08CA297Accident · No injuriesData collectionFinal reportErcoupe 415-C · Sebring, FLA bird strike which substantially damaged the propeller and required the engine to be secured. Contributing to the accident was the damaged propeller.NTSB CHI08LA160Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-44-180 · Battle Creek, MIThe in-flight separation of the tip of a propeller blade due to metal fatigue that resulted from an inadequate inspection and repair.NTSB SEA08LA114Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCanup Titan Tornado S · Council, IDThe failure of the tip of the wood propeller due to damage caused by a foreign object.