Pilot Debrief

SOCATA TB10 near Pawtucket, RI — 2012-07-15

Final reportERA12IA459
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Date
2012-07-15
Location
Pawtucket, RI, USA
Airport
SFZ
Aircraft
SOCATA TB10
Registration
N189TB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The in-flight separation of the propeller blade tip due to a fatigue fracture.

NTSB narrative

During departure, as the airplane reached an altitude of about 800 feet above ground level, the tip of one propeller blade separated. The flight instructor returned the airplane to the runway and landed without incident. The separated blade tip was not located; however, the remaining section of propeller blade was examined, and a fracture analysis was performed. The results of the analysis revealed fatigue crack propagation, followed by a final overstress fracture. The fatigue crack origin could not be accurately determined because the pertinent portion of blade’s leading edge suffered from postfracture damage, which likely occurred during removal or shipment. This postfracture damage also precluded determination of fatigue crack growthe timing or propagation. However, the fatigue and overstress fractures were consistent with other blade tip fractures that have occurred as a result of excessive vibrations within the propeller blade, typically as a result of a propeller ground strike. The incident airplane’s propeller blades were manufactured 32 years before the incident, and the manufacturer imposed no life limits on the blades as long as they passed the required overhaul inspections. The incident propeller blades were overhauled twice in the 3 years before the incident. The first overhaul was performed as a result of a propeller strike, and the reason for the second overhaul was not documented. At the time of the incident, the blades had accumulated 852 hours since the most recent overhaul, which occurred 18 months before the incident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Performing a thorough inspection of the propeller before the flight.

NTSB coding

  • Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail · Initial climb

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 9 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents9

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