Propeller breaks at 13,000 feet

[Guest ozzie]

Years ago one of our jump planes a C182 threw a blade on climb. Within a couple of seconds the top cowl disappeared and the bottom one just about ripped off, then the engine completed the job as it tore off the mounts and ended up caught around the strut and gear leg hanging by the teleflex cables and other bits. The jumpers on board had jumped and left the pilot to porpoise his way down to thump into a paddock. Ended up with just a broken nose for his troubles.

 

 

[facthunter]

All in a day's work. If you were observing it, it would look like the cowl exploding . It is that quick. To discuss closing the throttle etc isn't very realistic. Prevention is better than cure. Nev

 

 

[Dafydd Llewellyn]

Years ago one of our jump planes a C182 threw a blade on climb. Within a couple of seconds the top cowl disappeared and the bottom one just about ripped off, then the engine completed the job as it tore off the mounts and ended up caught around the strut and gear leg hanging by the teleflex cables and other bits. The jumpers on board had jumped and left the pilot to porpoise his way down to thump into a paddock. Ended up with just a broken nose for his troubles.

Probably one of those McCauley 2A34 series props; the blades had a counterbore internally from the root end, and the manufacturer used to trim-up their balance by stuffing lead-wool in the counterbore. If any water got in there, that set up a corrosion problem that initiated fatigue failure. Most of those props were withdrawn from service about 20 years ago, because of this. The history of propeller design shows that a lot of variations were tried, but very few have stood the test of time.

 

 

[Guest ozzie]

Sure was. Around '87 or so. Another C182 jump ship suffered the same at Kambalda WA right on liftoff . They were letting go right at the hub.