# NTSB investigations: Propeller controlling system

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

## Latest cases

- [NTSB ANC24LA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA064.md): Dehavilland DHC-2T · Petersville, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 13, 2024 · N535KT · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight loss of thrust due to an uncommanded feathering of the propeller for reasons that could not be determined.
- [NTSB ERA24LA208](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA208.md): Admore International Jets Aircam · DeLand, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · May 2, 2024 · N848HP · Substantial damage
  > The uncommanded movement of the left propeller into reverse during approach for undetermined reasons, resulting in an in-flight loss of control of the airplane at low altitude during approach.
- [NTSB WPR23LA283](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA283.md): Beech C35 · Rock Springs, WY · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 20, 2023 · N620D · Substantial damage
  > Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the propeller pitch control rod castellated nut hardware, which resulted in an in-flight failure of the pitch control bearing and subsequent loss of engine RPM and thrust.
- [NTSB ERA23LA279](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA279.md): Edmisten Robert Eugene SR Rans S-14 Airaile · Bonaire, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jun 25, 2023 · N528RE · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s failure to properly adjust the propeller’s pitch angle, which resulted in a loss of thrust and an inability to maintain altitude.
- [NTSB DCA22FA082](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA22FA082.md): Joby Aero JAS4-2 · Jolon, CA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Feb 16, 2022 · N542AJ · Substantial damage
  > The 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 ERA20LA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20LA077.md): Velocity Elite RG · St. Petersburg, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jan 14, 2020 · N78BM · Substantial damage
  > A failure of the propeller pitch change electric motor, which resulted in an improper setting for takeoff and a subsequent runway overrun. Also causal was the inadequate maintenance and inspection of the propeller system and the pilot’s failure to follow the…
- [NTSB CEN19LA313](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA313.md): Jackson Velocity · Mack, CO · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 3, 2019 · N2XF · Substantial damage
  > A propeller overspeed due to failure of the electronic ignition timing ring attachment screws, and a runway overrun during the subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN19LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA295.md): Air Tractor AT502 · Olney, TX · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Aug 29, 2019 · N8517Q · Substantial damage
  > A loss of thrust control due to a propeller surge event, which resulted in a forced landing shortly after takeoff.
- [NTSB ERA19LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA232.md): Vans RV7 · Ocean City, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 19, 2019 · N849GS · Substantial damage
  > The disconnection of the propeller governor control arm from the propeller governor due to a missing attachment bolt, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power during takeoff when the governor control vibrated to a high pitch, low rpm setting.
- [NTSB ERA19LA214](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA19LA214.md): Pipistrel Sinus · Haverhill, MA · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jul 4, 2019 · N269PW · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's failure to utilize the proper procedure and unfeather the motorized glider’s propeller prior to an in-flight engine restart, resulting in a lack of thrust and subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB GAA16CA322](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA322.md): Marks Steven Challenger · Marion, WI · Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 18, 2016 · N7058U · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the airplane engine drive belt during the takeoff, resulting in a forced landing and impact with terrain.
- [NTSB WPR14LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14LA169.md): Piper PA30 - NO Series · Bullhead City, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 21, 2014 · N7880Y · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's mismanagement of the throttle and propeller controls during the attempted go-around after encountering turbulence, which resulted in his failure to maintain adequate airspeed and climb rate and a subsequent forced landing and impact with terrain.…
- [NTSB CEN14FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14FA143.md): Hawker SEA Fury ISS 25 · Breckenridge, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 2014 · N13HP · Destroyed
  > The pilot’s inadequate emergency response to a runaway propeller and his failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and stalling. The cause of the runaway propeller was undetermined.
- [NTSB CEN13LA433](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA433.md): Clayton Gerald H Glastar GS-1 · Columbus, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 2013 · N513GC · Destroyed
  > Slippage in the engine clutch and gear reduction module and a resultant uncommanded movement of the propeller blades into reverse thrust.
- [NTSB CEN13LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA258.md): Cessna 182T · Delta, CO · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2013 · N2012Y · Substantial damage
  > The loss of propeller control for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examinations revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation and the airplane’s subsequent collision with power lines during the forced landing.
- [NTSB WPR12LA108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA108.md): Mooney M20J · Lewiston, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 17, 2012 · N367MR · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power due to oil starvation as a result of improper maintenance.
- [NTSB ERA11LA483](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11LA483.md): Durling James RV-6A · Hollywood, FL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 3, 2011 · N241BD · Substantial damage
  > Particulate ingestion from the engine, which resulted in the malfunction of the propeller governor during the airplane’s initial climb.
- [NTSB WPR10FA388](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10FA388.md): Diamond HK36 · Bend, OR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 2010 · N40440 · Substantial damage
  > An condition, which could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation, that prompted the pilot to discontinue the flight. Contributing to the accident…
- [NTSB CEN10CA304](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA304.md): Bordelon Kitfox IV · Stanton, MN · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 7, 2010 · N396BK · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s inadvertent propeller blade pitch change and subsequent loss of forward thrust.
- [NTSB CEN10CA296](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA296.md): Mooney M20M · Port Clinton, OH · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jun 4, 2010 · N1054B · Substantial damage
  > The pilot’s delayed decision to abort the landing and his failure to properly reconfigure the airplane during the aborted landing attempt.
- [NTSB WPR09LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA085.md): Air Tractor AT-301 · Beaver, UT · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 15, 2009 · N3170C · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to a sheared propeller blade's pitch change link. Contributing to the accident was lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB CEN09LA075](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA075.md): Hauser U/Hauser J KIT FOX CL · Boulder, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 2008 · N4JU · Substantial damage
  > A loss of engine thrust due to the pilot's inadvertent activation of the propeller controls. Contributing to the accident were the non-standard propeller controls and the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.
- [NTSB NYC08LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA291.md): Cessna 441 · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 2008 · N441VB · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's attempted takeoff with a propeller start lock inadvertently engaged.
- [NTSB ANC08LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC08LA060.md): Piper PA-34 · Ocala, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 14, 2008 · N11HR · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's continued operation of the airplane with a known mechanical deficiency--a propeller that would feather at low power. Contributing to the accident was the uncommanded feathering of the propeller.
- [NTSB NYC08LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA112.md): Beech A36 · Athens, GA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 26, 2008 · N623CQ · Substantial damage
  > The loss of propeller thrust due to the unseating of an internal propeller hub bushing. Contributing to the accident was the manufacturer's inadequate procedure to secure the bushing.

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
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", '01046120'))
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01046120/cases

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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.
