Beech Aircraft Corp 1900D, UE-200

Whilst taxiing for a night departure, the right propeller was
struck by a large bird, resulting in the separation of one
propeller blade. The ensuing vibration caused substantial damage to
the engine mountings and firewall, before the engine could be shut
down.

A technical analysis determined that the blade had failed in
overload about 15cms from the blade root whilst the propeller was
in fine pitch. There was no evidence of any pre-existing cracking
or defects in the area which may have contributed to the
failure.

The blade had completed 10,228 hours of operation since new and
3,805 hours since last overhaul. The aircraft records indicated
that there were no outstanding maintenance requirements on the
propeller. The blade complied with all propeller certification
requirements.

Witnesses described the bird carcass as that of a Brolga. This
species grows to a height of 0.7 to 1.3 metres with a mass of 10 to
15 kilograms.