The commercial pilot was found lying on the ground under the nose of the Luscombe 8F with a fatal head injury from a propeller strike.
Normal engine start for this airplane required hand propping the engine.
The airplane was found with the left wheel chocked, and the magneto, throttle control, primer, and fuel tank selector settings as expected for an engine start.
It is likely that, during hand propping, the pilot inadvertently entered the path of the propeller.
The FAA advises pilots that hand propping should only be attempted with two properly trained people, and the pilot was alone when he was fatally injured.
Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent contact with the propeller while hand propping the engine, which resulted in a fatal injury.
NTSB Identification: CEN17LA135
This March 2017 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.
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Joe Henry Gutierrez says
March 20, 2019 at 11:47 amABSOLUTELY !!! Hand propping is pure unadulterated crap !!! We are in the 2000 year not the early 1910 any more…If you continue to play, you will pay… sorry..
CJ says
March 20, 2019 at 3:01 pmMany vintage/antique aircraft have no starter nor any means to install such equipment. I started my Aeronca 7AC all 5 years that I owned it. I was lucky I suppose that I never got hit by a propeller. I did however, slip in the snow and fell down in front of my running plane after the start and lost my stocking watch cap go through the propeller. It stretched it out of size for me.
I always kept the tie downs on until the engine was running smoothly during the warmup before dispatching.
gbigs says
March 20, 2019 at 6:39 amLesson? If you have a airplane that needs hand propping….get another airplane.
CJ says
March 20, 2019 at 3:02 pmIt’s all about the money needed.