The propeller strap did not have a high-visibility streamer attached, and Link Airways did not effectively manage the condition of propeller straps for its Saab 340B fleet. This affected the visibility of the straps during ground operations.
The Link Airways safety action should improve the visibility of propeller straps used during Saab 340B departures now and into the future. This should reduce both the chance of a propeller strap being inadvertently not removed and not noticed by others before flight.
After a fleetwide inspection, Link Airways rectified the discrepancies in propeller straps, ensuring they are all visually similar and include a high visibility streamer. The Flight crew operating manual was amended to include a check of propeller strap serviceability, along with that of other ancillary equipment. Link also planned to add regular inspections of aircraft protective equipment to the maintenance schedule. Technical guidance was to be provided to personnel that described how to correctly construct/maintain the propeller strap.
