Accident Sequence
While practicing ILS approaches and receiving vectors, the aircraft experienced the loss of one blade from the right propeller. The pilot/flight instructor attempted to secure the engine, but the engine hung down, preventing full control of the aircraft. With the left engine at full power, the aircraft made a slow descending turn to the right until it impacted a utility pole, trees, a vehicle, and the terrain. A post-impact fire erupted and consumed most of the fuselage. One person on the ground received minor injuries from falling tree limbs.
Examination Findings
Subsequent examination revealed a fatigue failure of the propeller hub. The factors concerning the initiation of the fatigue fracture could not be determined from the physical evidence found.