Which statement describes a High Power impact on propeller blades?

• A. LOW: Little or no blade damage; Scratches along the line of the blade; Less than all blades damaged; Blades bent rearward or over cowling
• B. HIGH: Blade tips bent forward; All blades bent; Rotational scratches perpendicular to blade length
• C. HIGH: Little or no blade damage; Scratches along the line of the blade
• D. HIGH: Shattered blades; Blade tips bent forward; All blades severely bent or damaged; Rotational scratches perpendicular to blade length (Correct)

Answer: (D)

High-energy impact on propeller blades produces the most extreme damage pattern: the blades break apart (shatter), the tips deform forward under the blast, and every blade shows severe bending or damage. The rotational scratches that are perpendicular to the blade length reflect heavy contact and abrasion as the blades continue to rotate after the impact. This combination is what you’d expect from the highest energy event, where the force is sufficient to cause fragmentation rather than just bending or minor surface scoring.

Other descriptions describe less severe outcomes: severe bending without fragmentation, or superficial, line-aligned scratches that suggest lower-energy contact. The presence of shattered blades is the key indicator that the impact energy was at the top end of the scale.