# NTSB investigations: Propeller failure/malfunction

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.

Page 2 of 2 · 81 cases

## Cases, newest first

- [NTSB NYC98IA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98IA106.md): Beech 1900D · Syracuse, NY · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · May 4, 1998 · N832CA · Minor damage
  > Improper maintenance which resulted in a cross threaded\ mistapped counterweight bolt hole, and the subsequent failure of the propeller counterweight clamp assembly. Also causal was the inadequate inspection of the counterweight clamp threads by maintenance…
- [NTSB LAX98LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA033.md): Waco YMF-5 · Sedona, AZ · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1997 · N369DP · Destroyed
  > The failure and separation of the propeller for undetermined reasons.
- [NTSB LAX97FA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA291.md): Hefner Pitts S1S · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 17, 1997 · N10HJ · Destroyed
  > the operation of the propeller beyond the design rpm limitations and the resultant gyroscopic loads from aerobatics. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a required instrument panel rpm restriction for the propeller mandated by an airworthiness…
- [NTSB LAX97LA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA245.md): Classic Waco YMF-5 · Pahoa, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 16, 1997 · N553T · Substantial damage
  > Loss of the propeller retaining nut and associated hardware for undetermined reasons. A factor in the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing.
- [NTSB FTW97LA225](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA225.md): Air Tractor AT-502A · Chesterville, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 13, 1997 · N248LF · Substantial damage
  > an undetermined malfunction/failure of the propeller reversing system.
- [NTSB ANC97LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA046.md): Beech G18S · Nome, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 21, 1997 · N555CG · Substantial damage
  > fracture of a propeller blade tip.
- [NTSB ANC97FA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97FA024.md): de Havilland DHC-4A · Sparrevohn, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jan 30, 1997 · N702SC · Destroyed
  > loss of the right engine propeller control oil, which led to an overspeed of the right engine and propeller, and necessitated a shut-down of the right engine; and failure of the pilot to maintain adequate altitude/distance from terrain during visual approach…
- [NTSB LAX97LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA084.md): Beech N35 · Holbrook, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 9, 1997 · N7HB · Substantial damage
  > fatigue failure of the propeller hub, which resulted in separation of the propeller assembly and reduction of aircraft control. Also causal was: the resultant lack of compliance with Airworthiness Directive (AD) 89-26-08, due to ambiguous and unclear wording…
- [NTSB FTW96LA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA350.md): Hardy Quickie Q-200 · Hudson, CO · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 1996 · N6NH · Substantial damage
  > delamination of a propeller blade. A factor relating to the accident was: the terrain condition in the emergency landing area (soft/sandy berm and ditch).
- [NTSB CHI96FA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96FA278.md): Lancair 320 · Fond Du Lac, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 8, 1996 · N320L · Destroyed
  > the fatigue in the propeller flange with soft material and oversized lightening holes. A factor was the pilot's inability to maintain control of the aircraft due to the exceeded weight and balance which led to a stall/spin.
- [NTSB FTW96LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA318.md): Steward Breezy · Owasso, OK · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 25, 1996 · N2343 · Substantial damage
  > the pilot's failure to secure his cargo prior to departure. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain available for the forced landing.
- [NTSB ANC96LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC96LA096.md): Beech 18 · Fairbanks, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 6, 1996 · N700WA · Substantial damage
  > The malfunction of the propeller control unit on the right engine.
- [NTSB MIA96LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA173.md): Piper PA-23-150 · Knoxville, TN · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 2, 1996 · N3061P · Substantial damage
  > Fatigue failure of the blade No. 1 hub arm of the left propeller.
- [NTSB LAX96LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA142.md): Taylorcraft DC-65 · Fremont, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 23, 1996 · N36354 · Substantial damage
  > the in-flight separation of a portion of one wooden propeller blade due to undetected dry rot in the wood fibers.
- [NTSB BFO96LA038](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA038.md): Ercoupe 415-C · Hurlock, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 14, 1996 · N87424 · Substantial damage
  > inadequate inspection by maintenance personnel which failed to detect a fatigue crack, and resulted in an in-flight crankshaft fracture and propeller assembly separation. A related factor was the deep snow encountered during the subsequent forced landing.
- [NTSB LAX96FA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96FA049.md): Beech S35 · Oxnard, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 19, 1995 · N5795K · Destroyed
  > failure of the pilot to maintain adequate airspeed during a missed approach, after encountering an undetermined propeller malfunction, which resulted in a stall and collision with the terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, fog, and the…
- [NTSB BFO96LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA015.md): Piper PA-28-180 · Lebanon, VA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 1995 · N477SP · Destroyed
  > failure of the propeller blade due to fatigue cracking originating from corrosion damage. A related factor was the soft terrain encountered during the forced landing.
- [NTSB SEA96LA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA008.md): Nord Stampe SV4C · Cottage Grove, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 1995 · N51SV · Substantial damage
  > A propeller blade separation due to inadequate material. The lack of a suitable area for the forced landing was a factor.
- [NTSB FTW96FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96FA009.md): Rupe RV-4 · Longmont, CO · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 7, 1995 · N61TR · Destroyed
  > the installation of an unapproved metal propeller which led to a fatigue failure of a blade and loss of aircraft control.
- [NTSB ANC95IA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95IA173.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Gustavus, AK · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Sep 22, 1995 · N38293 · No damage
  > fatigue failure of the propeller blade due to previous foreign object damage.
- [NTSB LAX95LA314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA314.md): Piper PA-23-250 · Marana, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 30, 1995 · N7156T · Destroyed
  > the pilot's poor installation of the propeller which allowed the propeller to become loose, and the pilot's improper emergency procedure by feathering the wrong propeller.
- [NTSB ANC95IA151](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95IA151.md): Piper PA-28-181 · Juneau, AK · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 26, 1995 · N2937X · Minor damage
  > failure and separation of the propeller blade due to foreign object damage and fatigue.
- [NTSB DCA95MA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA95MA054.md): Embraer EMB-120RT · Carrollton, GA · Accident · 8 fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report · Aug 21, 1995 · N256AS · Destroyed
  > the in-flight fatigue fracture and separation of a propeller blade resulting in distortion of the left engine nacelle, causing excessive drag, loss of wing lift, and reduced directional control of the airplane. The fracture was caused by a fatigue crack from…
- [NTSB ANC95LA131](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA131.md): Piper PA-18-160 · Port Alsworth, AK · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 6, 1995 · N814JM · Substantial damage
  > An in-flight separation of a propeller blade, which resulted in a severe vibration, shutdown of the engine, and a forced landing in alder bushes.
- [NTSB NYC95LA137](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA137.md): Field VARI-EZE · Malone, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 1, 1995 · CGMEZ · Substantial damage
  > failure of the propeller speed reduction unit due to an inadequate design change by the manufacturer, which resulted in a complete loss of thrust. A factor was the rough terrain.
- [NTSB LAX95LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA058.md): Render LONG-EZ · Kailua-Kona, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1994 · N3250K · Destroyed
  > a delamination of the wooden propeller.
- [NTSB FTW95LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA040.md): Fighter Escort Wings P-51D · Seymour, TX · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 10, 1994 · N51K · Substantial damage
  > The failure of the propeller speed unit. A factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.
- [NTSB FTW95FA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95FA001.md): Mcmurtrie Jurca MJ-10 · Bartlesville, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 1, 1994 · N379SF · Destroyed
  > An inadvertent pilot-induced stall at too low an altitude to effect a safe recovery. Factors were the malfunctioning propeller system and the uncommanded feathering of the propeller.
- [NTSB CHI94FA340](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94FA340.md): Beech E95A · Poplar Grove, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1994 · N9581Y · Destroyed
  > Aircraft control not maintained by the pilot when he began his turn from base leg to final approach. Factors associated with this accident were the fatigue failure of a propeller blade, improper maintenance overhaul of the propeller, and a material defect in…
- [NTSB LAX94LA361](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA361.md): North American P-51D · Reno, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1994 · N51U · Destroyed
  > the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during an attempted forced landing. Factors in the accident were the failure of a propeller blade-feathering oil seal which leaked oil on the windshield, obscuring the pilot's vision.
- [NTSB LAX94LA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA259.md): Mascari Discovery S-12 · Salinas, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 18, 1994 · N999 · Destroyed
  > The failure of the muffler assembly due to preexisting cracking in the oxidized area of the weld, with subsequent damage and separation of the propeller and reduction gear box. A related factor was the excessive taxispeed which resulted in the airplane…

## 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 o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 131)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?occurrence=131&page=2

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