Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary BFO93LA139

SUNAPPEE, NH, USA

Aircraft #1

N36452

TAYLORCRAFT BF12-65

Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WHO IS ALSO A PILOT FLEW TO LAKE SUNAPEE TO ESCORT HIS FRIENDS' HOMEBUILT AMPHIBIAN AIRPLANE THAT WAS BEING FERRIED BY ANOTHER PILOT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THEY LANDED AND WHILE TAXIING FROM LANDING, THE PASSENGER WAS SO EXCITED THAT HIS AIRPLANE HAD FLOWN WELL, THAT HE EXITED THE AIRPLANE JUST AS THE PILOT SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND WALKED INTO THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD ASSURED THE PASSENGER REMAINED IN THE AIRPLANE UNTIL SHUTDOWN.

Factual Information

On Sunday, July 25, 1993, about 1730 eastern daylight time, the passenger of Taylorcraft BF12-65, N36452, exited the airplane and was struck by the propeller. The accident occurred after a landing at Sunapee Lake, Sunapee, New Hampshire. The airplane was owned and operated by Stuart Jones of Bradford, New Hampshire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The certificated airline transport pilot was not injured; however, the passenger was seriously injured. The aircraft was not damaged. The flight was operated under 14 CFR 91. According to pilot, he and his pilot rated passenger friend flew to Sunapee Lake to escort a homebuilt amphibian airplane his friend had built. He stated that they landed, "and was taxiing in after the other aircraft had beached. Bill was quite excited because his airplane had flown well. As we approached the beach Bill exited the airplane on the left side onto the float to observe for rocks and walked forward. He was struck by the propeller just as I shut down the engine by the mag switch." The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had assured the passenger remained in the aircraft until shutdown.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PASSENGER'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROPER PROCEDURES AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE PILOT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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