RivetBangers.com

RV7 - ASN Report - France - F-PVAO

I’m not sure how a chunk of the vertical stabilizer got removed during this event, unless it was from a large bird or it somehow snapped off during the flip over. There’s also some oil on the belly.

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/565568

A Cessna plane crashed under unknown circumstances in Verfeil (Haut Garonne). Both occupants sustained minor injuries. The airplane was destroyed.

Looks like we’ve figured out what took a chunk out of the vertical stab—a propeller blade. It appears to be a WW HRT 2 propeller. From the somewhat unclear photo, the fatigue seems to be on the aft side (where the crack originated), with the final ductile failure on the forward side. This makes sense because that is the location of maximum tension stress. Makes me wonder how often the propeller hub was inspected.

These guys were very lucky the rudder didn't come apart.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTifg4pDwii ... atch_again

an internal steel step ring transfers the propeller load to the aluminum prop hub.

While preheating the aircraft today, I confirmed that you can view the aft side of the RV200 propeller hub with a borescope. It appears to be a casting because I think I see a mold line (I don't know for sure). If it is a casting, I will not be impressed as castings can have voids and be locations for stress concentrations and cracks to originate. In either case, casting or billet, it’s especially important to stick to the inspection interval. The borescope doesn't suffice as a real inspection, but rather it is just a quick look and only takes 5 minutes.