Casualties unknown

Propeller Strikes 12-Year-Old Passenger After Deplaning (N477MA)

Richfield, UT, US

On November 5, 1983, a Mitsubishi MU-2B-60 (registration N477MA) was involved in an aviation accident near Richfield, UT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

A 12-year-old boy was struck by a windmilling propeller after deplaning and walking toward the cockpit on an unlighted ramp during a training mission at approximately 1930 hours MST.

Overview

On an unlighted ramp, a 12-year-old male passenger was struck by a windmilling propeller after he had deplaned. The incident occurred at approximately 1930 hours MST. The child had walked forward along the aircraft's fuselage to look into the cockpit.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft had just completed a training mission and landed. The pilot reported that the shutdown of the engines was slow because the flight was a training mission. The left propeller was still windmilling to a stop when the boy approached. The boy exited the aircraft and moved forward along the fuselage, against instructions and verbal warnings, according to the company president, who was the acting pilot. The boy's father was seated in the cockpit's left seat.

Background Information

Line crews reported that the boy was known to jump out of the aircraft and run around the ramp. The company president, acting as pilot, stated that the boy exited the aircraft despite instructions and verbal warnings.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X45046. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.