Why Hartzell Engineering Stands Apart
A Prop Strike Story That Proves What "Built to Last" Really Means
At Hartzell Air Movement, we manufacture industrial fans, not aircraft propellers. But we still recognize a story that proves what engineering integrity really looks like—especially when things go wrong.
A friend recently shared a powerful story about a Cirrus SR22T that suffered a severe prop strike in Iowa. The pilot hit the runway hard, which sheared off the plane's nose wheel, slamming the propeller into the pavement.
What usually happens in a situation like this: the propeller stops abruptly, sending catastrophic shock loads through the engine. FAA regulations require a full teardown inspection, which often leads to a complete engine rebuild—tens of thousands of dollars on top of replacing the prop.
But this prop told a different story. Bearing the Hartzell Propeller Inc. logo, the composite blades shaved away gradually—about 8 inches per blade—absorbing the energy instead of transferring it to the engine. The propeller was destroyed. The engine? Completely intact.
Why This Matters
Extreme circumstances separate good engineering from catastrophic failure. Hartzell's design turned what could have been a financial disaster into a manageable incident.
Whether it's a propeller protecting an aircraft engine or industrial fans built to run for decades without failure, the Hartzell standard remains the same: engineer for the moment that matters most.
A Family of Brands Built on the Same Foundation
Later, our friend realized the connection: Hartzell Air Movement and Hartzell Propeller came from the same family of companies.
While our applications differ—moving air in industrial facilities versus keeping aircraft in the sky—the engineering philosophy is identical.
Hartzell Propeller has been building aviation propellers since 1917, and Hartzell Fan was established in 1927. That same commitment to precision, durability, and long-term value runs through every product carrying the Hartzell name.
When a company serves multiple industries, it's easy to assume the brands are just acquisitions. But when the same engineering integrity shows up across aviation, industrial systems, and beyond, you see it's something deeper—a shared DNA.
The Takeaway
Good engineering doesn't just solve the immediate problem, it anticipates downstream consequences.
That pilot had a terrible day. But because of how that Hartzell propeller was designed, the day didn't become financially catastrophic.
Whether it's a propeller saving an engine from a rebuild or an industrial fan system built to run for decades without failure, Hartzell engineering is built for the moments that matter most.
Need an air movement solution built on over a century of engineering excellence?
Hartzell Air Movement designs industrial fans and systems that perform when it matters. Let's talk about your application.