Amateur-built JD-2 accident near Hollywood, Maryland, August 5, 2010
On August 5, 2010 at about 2:00 pm local time, a amateur-built JD-2, registered N43015, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Hollywood, Maryland (St. Mary'S County Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper installation of the propeller hub to the engine crankshaft, which resulted in a loss of engine thrust.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 5, 2010 · about 2:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hollywood, Maryland · St. Mary'S County Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built JD-2
- Registration
- N43015 · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot/builder of the experimental airplane was in cruise flight when the engine experienced a sudden increase in rpm with a corresponding loss of thrust. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing to a highway. During the landing roll, the right wing struck a tree and sustained substantial damage. Examination of the airplane revealed that the propeller assembly rotated without any corresponding engine crankshaft movement. The castellated nut and washer which secured the propeller hub flange to the engine crankshaft were found scored and warped. The propeller assembly had been installed on the non-certificated engine by the pilot approximately 35 hours prior the accident. The pilot did not possess the proper manufacturer technical data and tooling necessary to remove and reinstall the propeller hub assembly on the engine.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Loss of engine power (total) during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft propeller/rotor › Propeller system › Propeller assembly › Incorrect service/maintenance
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Installation › Owner/builder
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 1,600 hours in all; 300 in this make and model
- Last flight review: March 2, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 350 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 14, 2010; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotec R2800 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2W6 Leonardtown MD
- Destination: 2W6 Leonardtown MD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 29.80 inHg
- Observation at 2:00 pm from 2W6, 3 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.