On May 20, 1990, a Swearingen SA226-T(B) (registration N161RS) operated by Bertea Aviation Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Coeur D'alene, ID. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: INADEQUATE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE PILOT AND THE GROUND LINEMAN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: IMPAIRMENT OF THE GROUND LINEMAN FROM CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A ground lineman was struck by a propeller after the pilot mistakenly assumed he had moved away from the aircraft. The lineman's blood alcohol level was 0.037%.
Incident Overview
A ground lineman was assisting with an external power unit connection for an aircraft. After the engines were started, the lineman disconnected the power unit. The pilot noted the disconnect and proceeded with the pre-taxi checklist. When the pilot looked up to locate the lineman, he saw an individual walking away from the airplane and assumed it was the lineman who had been assisting him. The pilot released the brakes and initiated forward movement.
Sequence of Events
The lineman, however, had not left the aircraft. He was still positioned next to the airplane at the external power receptacle, which was located on the right side of the nose, in front of the propeller. As the aircraft moved forward, the right propeller struck both the lineman and the power unit.
Toxicology Findings
A toxicology check of the lineman's blood showed an alcohol level of 0.037%.