AAIB investigation to Grob G115E Tutor, G-BYVE
Propeller blade anti-erosion strip detached, RAF Wittering, Cambridgeshire, 24 August 2016.
Summary:
The pilot reported that during a formation takeoff, at approximately 400 ft agl, a loud “thud” was heard, followed by the onset of severe vibration. The aircraft was turned downwind immediately and a PAN declared. Once enough runway was available to complete a safe landing, a turn was made onto finals. A glide approach was flown and a successful landing completed.
Examination revealed that the anti-erosion sheath had separated from one of the propeller blades. As a precaution, the operator removed from service all propellers overhauled by their UK subcontractor; this included the incident propeller.
Specialist examination of the failure by the propeller manufacturer indicated that a combination of three defects had led to the loss of the anti-erosion sheath. Insufficient adhesive was present between the blade and the sheath, the layers of glass fibre on the inner portion of the sheath had been sanded excessively, and the sheath was not cleaned totally before refitting to the blade. Examination of the remaining two blades of the incident propeller and all three blades of another propeller overhauled by the same UK subcontractor showed the blades to be free from these defects.
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