What can small damage to a propeller lead to if not addressed?

What can small damage to a propeller lead to if not addressed?

• A. Minor cosmetic issues only.
• B. Catastrophic damage due to propeller failure.
• C. No effect in most cases.
• D. Improved fuel efficiency.

Answer: (B)

Small damage to a propeller acts as a stress riser that can initiate fatigue cracks under the repeated bending and torsional loads the blade experiences in flight. A nick, dent, or scratch weakens the blade at that spot, and as speed and thrust increase, cracks can grow until the blade fails or separates, causing severe vibration, loss of thrust on that engine, and potentially catastrophic damage to the aircraft. Because of this risk, even small damage must be inspected and repaired or replaced before flight; cosmetic fixes or assuming there’s no effect are not acceptable.

Small damage to a propeller acts as a stress riser that can initiate fatigue cracks under the repeated bending and torsional loads the blade experiences in flight. A nick, dent, or scratch weakens the blade at that spot, and as speed and thrust increase, cracks can grow until the blade fails or separates, causing severe vibration, loss of thrust on that engine, and potentially catastrophic damage to the aircraft. Because of this risk, even small damage must be inspected and repaired or replaced before flight; cosmetic fixes or assuming there’s no effect are not acceptable.