What happened
The pilot-in-command brought the airplane to a halt in close proximity to a hangar. The primary purpose of this stop was to allow one of the passengers to address a physiological need. Before the passenger exited the aircraft, the pilot provided specific safety instructions, directing them to stay clear of the propeller and to move toward the rear of the airplane.
While the pilot was in the process of unfastening his parachute harness, he raised his head and observed the passenger walking directly into the path of the propeller. The source text does not provide further details regarding the specific aircraft registration, the exact location, or the resulting injuries beyond the implication of a serious incident involving the propeller.
The investigation
The provided source material does not contain specific findings from an investigative body regarding mechanical failures or procedural violations beyond the immediate sequence of events described. No additional investigative data is available in the source text to detail what was examined mechanically.
Findings
The critical factor in this incident was the failure to maintain a safe distance between the passenger and the propeller during the ground stop. Despite explicit instructions to stay clear, the passenger entered the propeller arc while the pilot was distracted by unfastening his safety equipment. The source text does not provide a formal probable cause statement or specific contributing factors beyond this sequence of actions.
Safety message
The incident highlights the importance of maintaining strict awareness of all individuals near the aircraft during ground operations, particularly when the pilot's attention is divided by personal safety equipment or other tasks. Passengers must be reminded continuously to avoid the propeller area until the engine is completely shut down and it is safe to approach.