Aircraft: Cessna 172. Injuries: 1 Serious. Location: Albermarle, N.C. Aircraft damage: Substantial.
What reportedly happened: The student pilot and flight instructor had landed, parked, and secured the airplane. They returned about 15 minutes later and attempted to restart the airplane but were unable to do so.
An external battery supply was connected to the airplane by the owner of the flight school, and at the time of the engine start, the student was located behind the airplane.
After the engine was started, the instructor allowed the engine to idle for about one minute while the external power supply was removed by the owner.
Neither the owner nor the instructor saw the student walk from the rear of the airplane to the front until the airplane’s engine made an unusual sound, and they then noticed the student running from the front of the airplane. The student pilot sustained a serious injury to his left arm.
Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to remain clear of the airplane’s rotating propeller.
NTSB Identification: ERA13LA075
This December 2012 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.
In 1979, while flying for Charter Airlines (135 air taxi) in Sunny South Florida, a ramp agent called my flight back in TPA just before takeoff. We shared the ramp space with Eastern. On the way back to the apron, before the plane came to a stop, the agent starts walking towards the plane. I was flying a C-402 and it looked like he wanted to talk to me. I immediately shut down the engines before he got any closer. It was too close for my comfort. It gave me the scare of my life. I am sure he would have walked up to the window with total disregard for the props. Never under estimate the intelligence or intentions of a person on the ramp when you have spinning props.
This is a good reminder for what we should do, but some pilots and mechanics do not… Avoid casual movement around any aircraft (prop or jet) when engines are running. While student pilots and passengers seem like they might be most at risk, the data from the NTSB tell anoth story. Within the past five years instructors, high time and very experienced pilots have also suffered serious and fatal lapses of attention. I’ve seen a clueless instructor pull up next to their FBO and motion a line guy to bring them a headset while the engine was running, and the plane was parked with the prop spinning within 20 feet of the building door. At another airport I watched as another instructor climbed out of the plane, engine running, student at the controls, and walk over to the FBO office to retrieve a forgotten item. What do instructors teach students and non-pilot line persons by such behavior?
I have, in the past objected to GAN headlines related to these small pieces compiled from NTSB accident reports, and I object to this one as well. The headline would be better suited if a propeller became separated from an engine and hit someone. This student pilot walked into a moving propeller and the headline of the story should read accordingly.
??? How else would you describe an accident where someone is struck by a moving propeller?
If the airplane didn’t start after flying while only sitting for 15 minutes, why push it? Something is wrong and should have been grounded anyway.
This happens WAY too much. As a general rule always treat a propeller like a loaded gun, you never know when it will go off. Teach students from day one to approach an aircraft from behind and never forward of the rear of the engine bay or nacelle, and if forward of the aircraft if you can’t see the entire plane in your field of view you are to close.
Having people near aircraft when the engine is running is never a good idea and to be avoided except in rare circumstances such as when a hand propping is necessary. Otherwise pull the mixture out if someone is even remotely close to the aircraft. Keep in mind this was a “student” and likely not experienced enough around airplanes. When giving rides and changing students don’t do it with the engine running. It’s not worth it to save a little time and thus be contributing to someone’s death or injury.