On March 30, 1990, a Mooney M20F (registration N7061V) operated by Cargile, Neil H. was involved in an aviation accident near Murfreesboro, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fatigue failure of the propeller blade, initiated on the camber surface. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During descent, a propeller blade part separated from the aircraft. The pilot was vectored toward an airport but made a forced landing short. The gear was not extended; the aircraft slid onto an interstate and hit a van. Fatigue on the blade's camber surface caused the failure.
Incident Overview
During a descent for landing at 4,500 feet, a portion of the propeller blade separated from the aircraft. The pilot received vectors toward an airport but was unable to reach it and executed a forced landing short of the runway. The landing gear was not extended, and the aircraft slid onto an interstate highway, where it struck a passing van.
Propeller Blade Examination
Post-incident examination of the remaining propeller blade fracture revealed that the blade failed due to fatigue. The fatigue crack initiated on the camber surface of the blade.
Pilot Statement
The pilot reported that he had been operating from an airstrip with a stone surface.
Probable cause
Fatigue failure of the propeller blade, initiated on the camber surface.