What happened
Following the completion of a short cross-country flight, the pilot taxied the aircraft to its designated parking area. The location presented significant spatial constraints, with the pilot's personal vehicle parked on one side of the aircraft's parking space and another vehicle positioned on the opposite side.
While the aircraft engine remained running, the pilot's wife exited the cabin to relocate her car. As she moved toward the vehicle, she walked forward directly into the arc of the spinning propeller. The rotating blades struck her left arm and shoulder with sufficient force to sever the limb, resulting in a severe traumatic injury.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to this incident was the proximity of the pilot's wife to the active propeller arc while the engine was operating. The situation was exacerbated by the tight parking configuration, which limited safe movement around the aircraft. severed arm