This November 2008 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Aircraft: Cessna 152. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Atwater, Calif. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The accident involved two student pilots. The CFI of both students reported scheduling one of the student pilots for a solo cross-country the morning of the accident. Before the flight, the CFI met with the cross-country student to check weather and endorse his logbook. The CFI watched the student pilot walk to the ramp to preflight the airplane. The CFI then left the airport and the other student pilot got into the airplane.
The other student pilot had waited on the first floor of the air traffic control tower while the student pilot who had been signed off was dispatched in the airplane. When the flight instructor left the airport, the student pilot who had been waiting in the control tower joined the signed-off pilot for the cross-county flight. During the flight the students switched off as pilot in command. The students were aware that the FARs prohibit student pilots from carrying passengers.
At the completion of a cross-country flight, the two student pilots taxied the airplane toward the ramp. The non-signed-off student pilot in the right seat instructed the other student to taxi the airplane to the designated parking area, where he planned to exit the airplane. The students were concerned about being seen by flight school personnel. The student pilot in the left seat reported that when the other student exited the airplane, he ran toward the front of the airplane into the turning propeller.
Probable cause: The second student pilot’s failure to see and avoid the rotating propeller after exiting the airplane.
For more information: NTSB.gov
A good example of how distractions can kill. Surely the student knew that walking towards the front of the plane is a bad idea. However, being preoccupied with trying to not get caught, can obviously distract enough that you forget this most simple of rules.
Donald, the instructor did not ALLOW the two students to fly together. One student was hiding until the instructor left the airport. After the instructor left, that student came out of hiding and got into the plane with the endorsed student.
I must admitt that I may be not totally knowlegible in regards to this. I used to be a flight Instructor but will say that I have not due to illness been able to continue to keep my ratings, but I last instructed in the period between 1990-1995. I have been under the assumption that student pilots were not allowed to fly together but were only allowed to fly solo. I have to say what was their flight instructors blame in this situation and Why did he allow two students to fly together?