SAN JOSE, CA, USA
N74HP
PIPER PA-31-350
THE AIRCRAFT WAS DEPARTING ON AN IFR FLIGHT FROM SAN JOSE, CA TO CHESTER, CA. SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 50 FEET AGL, THE PILOT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT PASSENGER INFORMED HIM THAT THE RIGHT PROPELLER WAS MISSING. THE PILOT SECURED THE ENGINE AND CIRCLED THE AIRPORT TO AN UNEVENTFUL LANDING. THE PROPELLER HUB AND TWO BLADES WERE FOUND ON THE RUNWAY: THE THIRD BLADE WAS NEVER LOCATED. INSPECTION REVEALED A 3 TO 4 INCH PROGRESSIVE FATIGUE FRACTURE ON THE HUB. AIRCRAFT RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE HUB HAD ABOUT 3421 HOURS TOTAL TIME, AND 707 HOURS SINCE OVERHAUL.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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