Cardinal 177/177RG
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 825; Flight Crew Type 600
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
During takeoff roll the prior evening; it appeared that the propeller was not developing full RPM. I aborted departure and tied down the aircraft; with the intent of having the aircraft inspected the next day. There were no mechanics available; but I called my regular A&P and while running up the engine the problem appeared to have been resolved. He thought maybe the cable was temporarily stuck; but since the propeller was now working he did not think it was unsafe to fly. I inspected the prop and did not see anything wrong; and I flew the aircraft without incident. When I landed two hours later; I discovered one of the prop blades was loose; and the propeller has been removed and sent out for inspection. Arguably the aircraft was unairworthy and should not have been flown.
C177R pilot reported flying the aircraft with a loose propeller blade that he was not aware of.