Originally Posted by
meleagertoo
As the prop blade is bent forwards I would dispute that the engine was not running or it could not have been bent that way.
I agree, the blade is bent forward, a classic sign of an engine under power, there is also about three inches or more of the blade missing as seen by the single white tip band as opposed to two on the other, unless it’s a strobing prop, so it probably hit a rock or similar under the snow and more or less stopped dead, as said, if it wasn’t running it would have bent back on impact when the nose gear collapsed.
Sliding backwards would not remove part of a blade and there is no signs of that movement in the snow, bearing in mind the dusting of fresh stuff on the aircraft.