SEA96LA008

The pilot reported that during the initial climb-out after takeoff, a cracking sound was heard, and then a severe vibration was felt. The pilot shut the engine down and executed a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll on rough terrain, the landing gear collapsed and the lower wing contacted the surface. Postcrash inspection of wood propeller revealed that the outboard six inches of one blade had separated in-flight. The manufacturer of the experimental propeller reported that the wood material was a type of mahogany, and that only 5 were manufactured before discontinuing the use of this particular wood.

On October 14, 1995, at 1725 Pacific daylight time, a Nord Stampe SV4C, N51SV, experienced an in-flight propeller blade separation during the climb-out from the Cottage Grove Airport, Cottage Grove, Oregon. The pilot initiated a forced landing to an open field, where during the landing roll, the airplane collided with the rough terrain. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.

During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that during the initial climb-out and at approximately 300 feet above ground level, he heard a loud cracking sound, then felt a severe vibration. The pilot shut the engine down and initiated a forced landing to an open field. During the landing roll on the rough terrain, the left main gear collapsed and the lower left wing contacted the ground.

During the post-crash inspection, it was found that the outboard six inches of one propeller blade was missing. The outboard section, which includes the outboard leading edge brass plate has not been located. The pilot reported that the propeller had accumulated a total time of 45 hours at the time of the accident.

The experimental propeller was manufactured by Hendrickson Propeller. The manufacturer reported that the wood material was a type of mahogany, and that only five were manufactured before discontinuing the use of this particular wood.