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Casualties unknown

Passenger struck by propeller during boarding at local airport (N46701)

Converse, IN, US

On January 10, 1988, a Cessna 172K (registration N46701) operated by Quinn, Schafer, Ferris was involved in an aviation accident near Converse, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure that the area around the aircraft was clear of personnel before starting the engine or allowing passengers to board, which resulted in a passenger being struck by the propeller. 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 2026-06-19Data APIEditorial standards

A passenger was injured after walking around the front of a parked aircraft to board, striking the still-rotating propeller while the pilot kept the engine at idle.

What happened

The pilot had completed one closed circuit pattern at the local airport and landed to pick up two additional passengers. The purpose of the local flight was for sightseeing. The aircraft was parked with the engine at idle. One boarding passenger approached the aircraft from the left rear, saw the other pax boarding on the right side, and was proceeding around the front of the acft when she was struck by the propeller.

The investigation

The investigation focused on the circumstances surrounding the accident. The pilot had flown one closed circuit pattern of the local arpt and landed to pick up two additional passengers. The purpose of the local flight was for sightseeing. The acft was parked with engine at idle. One boarding passenger approached the acft from the left rear, saw the other pax boarding on the right side, and was proceeding around the front of the acft when she was struck by the propeller.

Findings

The investigation found that the pilot had flown one closed circuit pattern of the local arpt and landed to pick up two additional passengers. The purpose of the local flight was for sightseeing. The acft was parked with engine at idle. One boarding passenger approached the acft from the left rear, saw the other pax boarding on the right side, and was proceeding around the front of the acft when she was struck by the propeller.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to ensure that the area around the aircraft was clear of personnel before starting the engine or allowing passengers to board, which resulted in a passenger being struck by the propeller.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 10 Jan 1988 Cessna 172K accident near Converse, IN?

A passenger was injured after walking around the front of a parked aircraft to board, striking the still-rotating propeller while the pilot kept the engine at idle.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 10 Jan 1988 involved a Cessna 172K, registration N46701, operated by Quinn, Schafer, Ferris, at Converse, IN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to ensure that the area around the aircraft was clear of personnel before starting the engine or allowing passengers to board, which resulted in a passenger being struck by the propeller.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X24867. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.