On March 3, 1991, an Aeronca 15AC (registration N1340H) operated by Robert C. Jacobs was involved in an aviation accident near St.croix Falls, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to brief the passenger on the propeller hazard, which resulted in the passenger walking into the rotating propeller. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A passenger was fatally injured after walking into the propeller of a running aircraft while attempting to move an automobile parked between the taxiway and hangar.
What happened
Following a local flight, the pilot taxied the aircraft to a private airstrip to park at a hangar. An automobile was obstructing the path between the taxiway and the hangar entrance. The passenger exited the airplane on the right side with the intent of moving the vehicle. After exiting, the individual walked forward directly through the arc of the propeller. At the time of the incident, the engine was operating at idle power, approximately 500 RPM. The pilot had not briefed the passenger on the hazards associated with the running propeller.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the injury and the operational status of the aircraft during the taxi phase. Evidence confirmed that the engine was running at idle when the passenger entered the propeller arc. No mechanical failures were identified as contributing factors to the accident.
Findings
Contributing factors included the lack of a safety briefing regarding the propeller hazard and the positioning of the automobile which necessitated the passenger's movement through the danger zone. The pilot failed to ensure the area was clear or to warn the passenger about the active propeller.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to brief the passenger on the propeller hazard, which resulted in the passenger walking into the rotating propeller.