NONE · Piper PA-44-180 · 1999-04-14 · VERO BEACH, FL, USA
Event
NTSB number
MIA99LA128
Event ID
20001205X00530
Type
Accident
Date
1999-04-14
Location
VERO BEACH, FL, USA
Injuries
Highest injury
NONE
Fatal
0
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
2
Total aboard
2
Aircraft
Make
Piper
Model
PA-44-180
Registration
N30397
FAR Part
091
Engines
2
Damage
SUBS
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The improper return to service of a propeller hub by a propeller overhaul company which according to manufacturer's procedures should have been retired due to damage to propeller blades from sudden stoppage. This resulted in undetected fatigue propagation through the hub and separation of a propeller blade in flight. This resulted in overstress separation of the propeller flange and the remainder of the propeller and overstress separation of the engine mount causing the engine to drop down making the aircraft uncontrollable.