Pilot Injured by Propeller While Exiting Floatplane (N6782L)

What happened

The incident occurred while a float-equipped airplane was taxiing toward a docking area. The pilot shut off the engine ignition and immediately exited the cabin. To prevent the aircraft from striking the dock, he quickly walked forward along one of the floats. As he passed the propeller, which continued to rotate despite the ignition being cut, he extended his hand for balance. The rotating blades struck his wrist.

The investigation

The primary mechanical finding was that the propeller remained in motion after the engine ignition was turned off. This residual rotation allowed the blades to contact the pilot as he moved along the float structure near the engine nacelle.

Findings

• Propeller rotation continued after ignition cutoff, creating a hazard during ground operations.
• The pilot's proximity to the rotating blades while on the float contributed directly to the injury.
• Wrist injury resulted from contact with the propeller while attempting to stabilize himself.

Safety message

Pilots should be aware that propellers may continue to spin for a period after engine shutdown. Caution is required when exiting aircraft or moving near the engine area during ground operations.