# Propeller hub section - 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 hub section - NTSB code: 01046114 - Cases: 13 - In the probable cause: 12 - Fatal cases: 0 - All cases: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046114/cases.md - Cases with it in the probable cause: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046114/cases.md?cause=1 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046114 ## Cases per year (in the probable cause / all) - 2008: 1 / 1 - 2009: 1 / 1 - 2011: 2 / 2 - 2012: 1 / 1 - 2013: 1 / 1 - 2014: 2 / 2 - 2016: 1 / 1 - 2017: 1 / 1 - 2018: 1 / 1 - 2025: 1 / 2 ## Defining events in these cases - [Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338): 8 cases - [Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342): 2 cases - [Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/340): 2 cases - [Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330): 1 cases ## Aircraft models (registry) - [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200): 1 cases - [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b): 1 cases - [Fleet 2](https://openairdocs.org/model/fleet-2): 1 cases - [TL Ultralight Sro STINGSPORT](https://openairdocs.org/model/tl-ultralight-sro-stingsport): 1 cases - [Louis W OTT 601XL-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/louis-w-ott-601xl-b): 1 cases - [Campbell John S RV-7A](https://openairdocs.org/model/campbell-john-s-rv-7a): 1 cases - [Schlichtman Micheal E STOL CH750](https://openairdocs.org/model/schlichtman-micheal-e-stol-ch750): 1 cases - [Wheeler Dean S VANS RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/wheeler-dean-s-vans-rv-6a): 1 cases - [Rovey Jason H RV-8](https://openairdocs.org/model/rovey-jason-h-rv-8): 1 cases - [Landrum Kelly T VANS RV6](https://openairdocs.org/model/landrum-kelly-t-vans-rv6): 1 cases ## Other findings in the same cases - [Scheduled/routine maintenance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062010) (Personnel issues): 2 cases - [Decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520) (Personnel issues): 2 cases - [Propeller blade section](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046111) (Aircraft): 2 cases - [Propeller assembly](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046110) (Aircraft): 2 cases - [Not determined, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000) (Not determined): 1 cases - [Equipment manufacture](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04013010) (Organizational issues): 1 cases - [Manufacture/production, general](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04013000) (Organizational issues): 1 cases - [Tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020) (Environmental issues): 1 cases - [Modification/alteration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062030) (Personnel issues): 1 cases - [Repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015) (Personnel issues): 1 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 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 WPR18LA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA158), May 21, 2018: Rhoads Autogyro MTO Sport (N574BR), San Manuel, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fracture of the propeller hub due to corrosion pitting along the propeller blade root seat, which led to cracking that was propagated due to high-cycle fatigue. - [NTSB WPR17LA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA082), Mar 31, 2017: OTT 601XL-B (N610TT), The Dalles, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: A partial loss of engine power due to the reverse bending fatigue failure of the propeller hub bolts, which resulted from the bolts not fitting tightly into the propeller hub holes. Also causal was… - [NTSB ERA16LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA295), Aug 19, 2016: Piper PA34 (N16499), Hollywood, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: Maintenance personnel’s failure to comply with an airworthiness directive for the propeller, which resulted in a propeller hub failure due to fatigue. - [NTSB ERA14LA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA272), May 31, 2014: Landrum Kelly T Vans RV6 (N6RP), Suffolk, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot/builder's decision to use a lubricant that was not designed for high-speed aviation applications, which resulted in the failure of the propeller needle thrust bearing due to the loss of… - [NTSB CEN14LA118](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA118), Jan 21, 2014: Grumman American Avn. AA 5B (N28578), Willow Park, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper reinstallation of the propeller assembly, which resulted in the subsequent in-flight separation of the propeller. - [NTSB WPR14LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA046), Nov 2, 2013: Rovey Jason H RV-8 (N391V), Wickenburg, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of a propeller pitch change pin due to excessive shot peening of the pin’s surface during the manufacturing process. - [NTSB WPR12LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA143), Mar 22, 2012: Reich Glastar (N617G), Caldwell, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of a propeller blade at the hub due to fatigue cracking. - [NTSB WPR11LA412](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA412), Aug 28, 2011: Wheeler Vans RV-6A (N642DW), Albany, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The in-flight separation of a propeller blade due to fatigue. 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.