Propeller Accident

[Piloto]

Young model walks into a running propeller: http://abcnews.go.com/US/lauren-scruggs-tragedy-parents-speak-models-propeller-accident/story?id=15093570

When ever picking up or droping passengers TURN ENGINE OFF

José

[KSMooniac]

Quite tragic, and could've been fatal as many of these accidents are.  This happened at my old hometown field where I learned to fly.  It sounds like it was a commercial op of some sort, and I wonder if it was a "real" above-board operation or not.  I hope she recovers well enough to have a normal life.

[John Pleisse]

This happened at FDK about 20 months ago. A CFI and student began a flight lesson, forgetting the chock. She volunteered to get out and remove it, exuberantly. The CFI saw the situation progress and desperately tried to kill the engine before she dipped down to reach for the chock. Here arm was severed clean off at the shoulder. She lived.

It's very sad this happens and you wish it didn't.

Similarly, my wife had a connection at O'hare from a 757, to a Jetstream, right on the tarmac. She almost wondered right into a turning blade that wasn't roped off. I found this bewildering.

[PTK]

These are tragic accidents. Real tragic. But totally preventable. The PIC is totally responsible for these and can prevent them. Just shut the engine off! Why on earth would he keep engine running in the dark with passengers walking around the airplane? Is there a good answer?

[KSMooniac]

Hard to tell from the "journalism" I've read so far, but it could be that the engine was off during a passenger exchange, and then restarted before the young lady went back to the plane.  We'll need to wait for the unfiltered facts to get published before making any conclusions.

[aviatoreb]

Quote: KSMooniac

Hard to tell from the "journalism" I've read so far, but it could be that the engine was off during a passenger exchange, and then restarted before the young lady went back to the plane.  We'll need to wait for the unfiltered facts to get published before making any conclusions.

[triple8s]

I recently had a non-incident that made me "think" of a similar scenario. I had started the engine and was waiting for the oil temp to come up. Our hangars are all in a row and have a narrow walkway between them. As I was waiting for the temp to rise I saw a brown flash out of the corner of my eye down low and I immediately cut the engine, as there is a cocker spaniel that is always nosing around, well low and behold just a second behind the dog was a young boy that ran straight for the nose of my plane THANK GOD I killed the engine. I dont know how I could deal with the memory of an accident like that. I pray the girl recovers, it so tragic.

[FlyingAggie]

I had just gotten back into flying a few years ago and was about to go flying, when I witnessed the aftermath of a human encouter with a spinning prop.

A brand new pilot (who was in his late teens) had just gotten his pilot's license the day before and was taking his parents for a flight as his first passengers in a DA-20.  He had taken his mother up first, landed and was changing passengers.  For what ever reason, instead of killing the engine, he let his mother disembark with it running.  You enter and exit the DA-20 from the front of the wing.  She climbed off the wing, facing toward the tail and backed into the prop.

This story had a happier ending in that it was cold and his mother was wearing a heavy down filled coat.  The prop ripped the coat apart and tore into the fleshy part of her backsides.   She was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but fortunately, she escaped with only some serious lacerations.  It could have been so much worse.  I'll never forget the sight around the DA-20: the ramp splattered with blood, adipos tissue and down from her coat.

The young pilot was totally devestated at his mistake. I have often wondered if he ever flew again.  The pilot is responsible for the safety of his/her passenger inside or outside of the plane.  No excuse to let them get close to a spinning prop.

So sad about this happening to this beautiful girl.  My sister-in-law in Plano has known her for the last yen years and was very upset this happened to her.

[Bolter]

Quote: N4352H

This happened at FDK about 20 months ago. A CFI and student began a flight lesson, forgetting the chock. She volunteered to get out and remove it, exuberantly. The CFI saw the situation progress and desperately tried to kill the engine before she dipped down to reach for the chock. Here arm was severed clean off at the shoulder. She lived.

It's very sad this happens and you wish it didn't.

Similarly, my wife had a connection at O'hare from a 757, to a Jetstream, right on the tarmac. She almost wondered right into a turning blade that wasn't roped off. I found this bewildering.

[Mooney_Allegro]

I was working for NW Airlink back in 1993 and I remember a young college girl that was working the ramp on one of the Metroliners (SA-227)'s in Newark.  She was pulling the chocks and walked right into the prop and was killed by the big 4-bladed propeller. It was very sad, and it was witnessed by the passengers & pilots.  The girl was going to college, working 3 jobs, and probably tired and rushing around.  I've also witnessed a C-172 pilot start his engine with the tow bar still attached and begin taxiing.    

[John Pleisse]

Several years back, there was a well known A&P/IA at Dugosh or Lonestar (can't recall) who was on the floor in the prop path working on the front of an engine. The engine had a hot mag, was in the "on"  position or wasn't grounded (can't recall). The engine fired and the prop threw him to the floor sustaining massive shoulder and head injuries. He survived. Trey/MAPA actually chronicled the tragedy and began a collection for him....maybe 8-10 years back. Anybody recall this fellow or know the outcome? Until the event, he had been a MSC A&P for many years.

[MooneyMitch]

You might ask Trey about this.  He did speak to me a few weeks ago about this fellow, but I don't recall the details.  What I do recall is that this person has recovered mostly, but no longer is involved in aviation.   Let us know.

[kortopates]

The accident you refer too ocurred at Dugosh, but I can't recall his name either. Think it ocurred around 2003 or 2004 and that he suffered permanent brain damage - but I hate to second guess as this was quite some time ago. Suggest you post an inquiry on the mapalist or give Ronnie a call at Dugosh.