Pilot Debrief

REICH GLASTAR near Caldwell, ID — 2012-03-22

Final reportWPR12LA143
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Date
2012-03-22
Location
Caldwell, ID, USA
Airport
EUL
Aircraft
REICH GLASTAR
Registration
N617G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The failure of a propeller blade at the hub due to fatigue cracking.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot/owner of the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that, the day before the accident flight, the airplane experienced a vibration during flight. After landing, he attempted to determine the cause of the vibration without success. The next day, he conducted the accident flight to attempt to duplicate the vibration. Shortly after takeoff, one of the propeller blades separated. The pilot subsequently conducted a forced landing. The engine mounts were substantially damaged due to the unbalanced condition at the hub caused by the separated blade. The separated propeller blade was recovered, and postaccident examination of the propeller blade revealed that it had failed at the hub due to extensive fatigue cracking.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have grounded the aircraft after experiencing vibration on previous flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents2

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