Probable cause
The failure of a propeller blade at the hub due to fatigue cracking.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR12LA143 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 22, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Caldwell, Idaho
- Nearest airport
- Caldwell Industrial Airport (EUL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built GLASTAR
- N-number
- N617G
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.