Probable cause
The in-flight separation of a section of a propeller blade due to a fatigue crack, which resulted in a forced landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during cruise flight, the engine momentarily started to run rough before he heard a loud bang followed by a separation of a portion of the propeller blade. The pilot shut the engine down and performed a forced landing to open desert terrain, during which the airplane impacted vegetation, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing.
Postaccident examination of the propeller blade revealed a chordwise fracture across the propeller about 12 inches from the hub. The fracture origin area exhibited a small pit, consistent with progressive crack growth from a flat fracture surface in the area identified as the origin. The pit was likely initiated by corrosion, as it exhibited evidence of chlorine-containing salts. No maintenance logbooks were located for the propeller, and its total time in service and most recent inspection were not determined.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR19LA273 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 14, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Tucumcari, New Mexico
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Amateur-built SIDEWINDER
- N-number
- N492AC
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2003
- 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.