How does a B-17's prop end up in the radio compartment? ...

[Mark Allen M]

"Runaway props can be very nasty at times, this one came off the # 3 engine of B-17F 42-30078 at a stateside training base, Nov. 22 1944. It did a lot of damage on it's way back to the radio compartment."

"The #4 prop was hit by #3 which deflected #3 up and back, but one of #3's blades did penetrate the fuselage just behind the cockpit on it's way back, quite the mess, unknown weather it hurt anyone."
From Steve Whitby





Boeing B-17F-85-BO Fortress 42-30078 (MSN 5192) Accepted by USAAF Apr43. United Air Lines, Modification Center #10, Cheyenne Municipal Airport, WY 7Apr43. Hobbs Field, NM 19Apr43. 2114th Base Unit (Pilot School, Specialized, Four Engine), Lockbourne AAB, Columbus, OH 23Aug44. 3017th Base Unit (Pilot School, Specialized, Four Engine), Hobbs Field, NM 25Aug44. Damaged when force landed after engine failure at Hobbs Field 22Nov44. 3030th Base Unit (Pilot School, Specialized, VH), Roswell Field, NM 23Nov44. 3017th Base Unit (Pilot School, Specialized, Four Engine), Hobbs Field, NM 2Jan45. To Reconstruction Finance Corporation, Altus Field, OK for storage and disposal 18Sep45.

[Archer]

A look on the positive side: at least they brought all the props back.

The combined effects of centrifugal forces, inertia, airflow and on top of that, being hit by another prop can create some interesting paths.

[Ken]

The C-130 community has seen some tragic losses and a few incredible, yet survived, damage incidents from various prop and gearbox failures. It's a reminder that, even though these fleets rack up zillions of hours, incidents like this can, and do, happen.

Ken

[Chris Brame]

Pilot's name was James W. Crowe; AAIR has a typo in the serial number (42-20078) so you have to search by date. Damage code 3, listed as FLEF (forced landing, engine failure). Hobbs base code # H-47.
Photo from a Hobbs booklet circa summer 1943; note the fuselage and tail H codes haven't been applied yet:

[r1830]

I find that first picture fascinating. The number three engine nose case is missing and it looks like in the second picture the drive shaft portion of the prop is still connected to the prop. Looking at engine number 4, the cowling is all beat up in flattened and a unless my eyes deceive me, the prop is also no longer in its correct position as it looks like the nose case has come apart, and the prop was forced aft, beating up the cowling. Also, if you look at the fuselage next to number three engine, you can see a tremendous amount of oil staining as the light is reflecting off of it, and it looks like a little bit of damage to the fuselage.