On July 4, 1982, a Cessna 177RG (registration N53070) operated by Graden Harger was involved in an aviation accident near Houston, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure that the area around the aircraft was clear of personnel and obstacles during ground operations with the engine running. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot's wife was severely injured when she walked into the arc of a running propeller while attempting to move her car from a crowded parking spot.
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
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure that the area around the aircraft was clear of personnel and obstacles during ground operations with the engine running.