Probable cause
The in-flight separation of a propeller blade due to fatigue.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11LA412 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 28, 2011
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Albany, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Kaiser'S Strip
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built VANS RV-6A
- N-number
- N642DW
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.