Safety Action
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (formerly BASI) is conducting a technical analysis of the blade failure. Any safety deficiencies identified will be published in the Bureau's Quarterly Safety Deficiency Report.
Summary
Whilst taxiing for a night departure, the right propeller was struck by a large bird, resulting in the separation of one propeller blade. The ensuing vibration caused substantial damage to the engine mountings and firewall, before the engine could be shut down.
A technical analysis determined that the blade had failed in overload about 15cms from the blade root whilst the propeller was in fine pitch. There was no evidence of any pre-existing cracking or defects in the area which may have contributed to the failure.
The blade had completed 10,228 hours of operation since new and 3,805 hours since last overhaul. The aircraft records indicated that there were no outstanding maintenance requirements on the propeller. The blade complied with all propeller certification requirements.
Witnesses described the bird carcass as that of a Brolga. This species grows to a height of 0.7 to 1.3 metres with a mass of 10 to 15 kilograms.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199804451 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 20/10/1998 |
| Location | Coffs Harbour, Aero. |
| State | New South Wales |
| Report release date | 12/01/2000 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Birdstrike |
| Occurrence class | Incident |
| Highest injury level | None |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Beech Aircraft Corp |
|---|---|
| Model | 1900 |
| Registration | VH-AFR |
| Serial number | VH-AFR |
| Sector | Turboprop |
| Operation type | Air Transport Low Capacity |
| Departure point | Coffs Harbour, NSW |
| Destination | Unknown |
| Damage | Minor |