FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Propeller Blade Separation in Cruise Due to Fatigue from Corrosion Pit (N8879M)

Tarboro, NC, US

On September 20, 1996, a Beech A23 (registration N8879M) operated by Dean L. Liken was involved in an aviation accident near Tarboro, NC. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The propeller blade failed from fatigue originating from a single corrosion pit on the camber side of the blade. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During cruise, half of a propeller blade separated from the airplane, causing substantial damage. The aircraft landed uneventfully. Metallurgical examination revealed fatigue failure originating from a corrosion pit on the blade's camber side.

Incident Overview

Approximately half of one propeller blade separated from the airplane during cruise flight. The separation resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. The flight crew executed an uneventful landing at a nearby airport.

Propeller Blade Examination

Metallurgical examination of the failed propeller blade determined that the blade had fractured due to fatigue. The fatigue crack initiated from a single corrosion pit located on the camber side of the blade. Additional corrosion pits were observed on the camber side of the remaining portion of the blade.

Maintenance History

The airplane's maintenance logs contained no record that the propeller had been reconditioned since its installation. The propeller manufacturer recommended that the propeller be reconditioned after each 1,000 hours of operation.

Propeller and Aircraft Details

The propeller was manufactured in September 1963 and sold to Beech Aircraft Corporation in August 1964. The airplane was manufactured in December 1964 and had accumulated 1,851 flight hours at the time of the incident.

Probable cause

The propeller blade failed from fatigue originating from a single corrosion pit on the camber side of the blade.
Maintenance errorStructural failure

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Sept 1996 Beech A23 accident near Tarboro, NC?

During cruise, half of a propeller blade separated from the airplane, causing substantial damage. The aircraft landed uneventfully. Metallurgical examination revealed fatigue failure originating from a corrosion pit on the blade's camber side.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Sept 1996 Beech A23 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Sept 1996 involved a Beech A23, registration N8879M, operated by Dean L. Liken, at Tarboro, NC.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The propeller blade failed from fatigue originating from a single corrosion pit on the camber side of the blade.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001208X06682. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.