Pilot Debrief

WHEELER VANS RV-6A near Albany, OR — 2011-08-28

Final reportWPR11LA412
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Date
2011-08-28
Location
Albany, OR, USA
Aircraft
WHEELER VANS RV-6A
Registration
N642DW
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

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

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that a few minutes after takeoff, he heard a loud noise and felt a vibration when an aluminum propeller blade separated from the airplane. The pilot then made a forced landing on a grass field north of the departure airport. The MT-Propeller two-bladed propeller hub, separated blade, and fracture surfaces were examined. The examination revealed finely spaced striations consistent with high-cycle fatigue. The hub wall had fatigue cracks initiating from shallow oxidized pits. Evidence of rework or repair was found on the hub blade bore. The propeller logbook reported that the hub was repaired and inspected by a repair station and reinstalled by the pilot/owner 3 days before the accident flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Properly inspect and test the propeller hub after maintenance before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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