In-Flight Prop Failure

[Bavafa]

Boy, I am glad you are OK. A tremendous job under that condition to stay composed and do a safe landing.

Best wishes and sorry to hear about your bird.

[David-aviator]

Tim,

What a time to have a prop fail, on your second flight.

Congrats on the successful landing.

Sounds like an engine tear down is the best way to go but a call a Lycoming service rep will confirm that's the way to go.

[timothywhigginbotham]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I have spoken to Jeff @ Props Inc and he has stated he will build no more of these props for now. It appears the RV-8 in OK was indeed another of these props. As soon as I find his phone number, I plan to give him a call.

Funny thing though, my prop was shipped to ?HAGER CLINTON RAY? RV-8, registration: N127TT by mistake. He was kind enough to forward it to me. I called him and thanked him and offered to pay his shipping but he said Props Inc. had agreed to cover it.

As far as remaining calm goes, I didn?t have time to be afraid. I was very fortunate to be at the location where I made my 1st and 2nd landing a few hours earlier. It was my 1st dead stick landing after 15 years as a private pilot.

As far as the Catto goes, my RV-4 is a very light, basic day time VFR aircraft. This prop will help me keep it that way.

Tim,

[Geico266]

Originally Posted by timothywhigginbotham

As far as remaining calm goes, I didn?t have time to be afraid. I was very fortunate to be at the location where I made my 1st and 2nd landing a few hours earlier. It was my 1st dead stick landing after 15 years as a private pilot.

Tim,

Welcome to the "Dead Stick Landing Club". Seriously, there should be a hat or patch or something!

Craig Catto is the best. Call him and he will set you up with a nice solid one piece prop.

[pierre smith]

Originally Posted by timothywhigginbotham

.........Thanks to everyone for the advice. I have spoken to Jeff @ Props Inc and he has stated he will build no more of these props for now.
Tim,

...but every single one of them should be grounded immediately!

Sheesh,

[timothywhigginbotham]

Pierre,

Yes, I agree. I forgot to say that I asked him to notify everyone. He did agree to do so, but said there is a 3-blade on an RV hey may have lost contact with.

Tim,

[timothywhigginbotham]

An update:

I spoke to Lycoming and a couple of engine shops today. They all agree with you that the engine must be pulled and inspected. I will pull it in the morning and plan to send it to Custom Airmotives.

I am currently working with an adjuster regarding this incident. I appear everything except the prop will be covered. Looks as if I am out just time and work. Others have not been nearly as fortunate.

I spoke to Clint Hagar from OK today. We both agree that the type of failure was the same. Both props lost a blade at the blade root, nothing left but the hardware. It appears to be common problem.

I spoke to Jeff at Props Inc. again today and reminded him to notify everyone flying this type of prop.

I really appreciate everyone?s encouragement and will let you know when I am back in the air.

Tim,

[DanH]

Tim, any chance of a few photos so we can see blade root and hub design details?

[timothywhigginbotham]

Dan,

I would be happy to post photos. When I get a chance to figure out how, I will get some posted (this weekend). You probably noticed I have little experience with the forum.

Tim,

[wrongway john]

Well, if we can help, let us know because I'd like to see the pics too.

These two sites are popular with pic tranfers which you'll need a site like this to get the pics from your computer to here. It's free. Just follow their instructions.

http://tinypic.com/ http://imageshack.us/

Or if you like, PM me, and I?ll get you my e-mail, and if you can attach the pics to that, I?ll get them here.