Incident Overview
A commercial aircraft taxied to the gate after landing on a dark night. Company instructions required that a ground guide be assigned to direct the aircraft to the gate; however, no ground guide was provided. Baggage handlers and a security guard approached the aircraft as it came to a stop at the gate, and the crew shut down the engines.
Positioning and Lighting
Due to operational requirements, the aircraft was positioned into the wind when the engines were shut down. The angle of the gate lighting placed the left side of the aircraft and the left spinning propeller in shadows, reducing visibility of the propeller's rotation.
Fatal Encounter
After the engines were shut down, the captain opened the left cockpit door to exit the aircraft and observed the security guard on the ground beneath the left propeller. The guard had sustained fatal injuries from contact with the spinning propeller.
Investigation Details
The investigation noted that no ground guide was assigned to direct parking, contrary to company procedures. The combination of dark conditions, inadequate lighting on the left side, and the absence of a guide contributed to the circumstances leading to the fatal injury.