Definition
A small chip, dent, or gouge in the leading edge or surface of a propeller blade, typically caused by stones, debris, or foreign objects struck during ground operations or takeoff and landing rolls. Even minor nicks create stress concentration points that can lead to crack propagation and, if left undressed, blade failure.
Plain English
A small ding or chip in the edge of a propeller blade. It looks minor but it weakens the blade and has to be filed smooth or inspected before further flight.
Context Anchor
Most often encountered during the preflight inspection, when the pilot checks the propeller blades for visible or feelable damage before engine start.
Derivation
‘Nick’ comes from Middle English meaning a small notch or cut. In aviation, the everyday word is kept but the consequences are more serious than the casual term suggests.
Why Pilots Care
A nick creates a stress riser that can grow into a crack and lead to blade failure if left unaddressed.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “nick” means harmless because it is small. On a propeller, a small nick can be a serious weakness because the blade is spinning fast and carrying high force.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot found a propeller nick on the leading edge and had a mechanic dress it out before the next flight.
Example Sentence 2
After discovering the propeller nick the instructor had it dressed and inspected before approving the flight.