Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA94LA009

FORT MYERS, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N28930

GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5B

Analysis

THE PILOT WAS RUNNING UP THE ENGINE IN PREPARATION FOR A FLIGHT AND HAD HIS VISION CONCENTRATED ON THE ENGINE INSTRUMENTS. DURING THAT TIME, HIS MOTHER WALKED TO THE AIRPLANE AND WAS STRUCK BY THE PROPELLER.

Factual Information

On October 17, 1993, about 1645 eastern daylight time, N28930,registered to Kurt B. Waller was involved with a propeller strike on the ground at Pine Shadow Airpark, Fort Myers, Florida, while attempting a 14 CFR 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the intended local flight. The airplane received minor damage, one person on the ground received serious injuries, and the pilot and other two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time. The pilot stated to local law enforcement officials that during runup before the flight, the pilot's mother walked toward the airplane after the engine was started to give a passenger some food and was struck by the propeller, severing her arm. The pilot did not see her until after she was struck because he was watching instruments during the runup.

Probable Cause and Findings

IMPROPER DECISION BY THE OTHER PERSON (PILOT'S MOTHER) TO GO TO THE AIRPLANE, WHILE THE PILOT WAS MAKING CHECKS IN PREPARATION FOR FLIGHT, AND HER FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE HAZARDOUS CONDITION (TURNING PROPELLER).

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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