Incident Overview

Description
The Swearingen SA226TC, N235BA, aborted takeoff at Denver International Airport, Colorado, USA, when the number two engine shed a propeller blade. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot and sole occupant received minor injuries. The flight was cleared for takeoff on runway 35L. The pilot said he advanced the speed levers to high and brought the power levers to 800 foot-pounds of torque. As he was about to release the brakes to begin takeoff roll he felt an impact and noise like something hit the aircraft on the right side. He looked over at the right engine and observed it to be in a “severe state of vibration”. He secured the right engine, declared an emergency to the tower, and then secured the left engine. Following “spool down” the pilot exited the aircraft and observed that the right engine had shed a propeller blade about 10 inches outboard from the hub. Propeller blade fatigue failure due to stress corrosion.
Primary Cause
Propeller fatigue failure due to stress corrosion.Propeller fatigue failure due to stress corrosion.Share on: