On August 25, 1998, a Cessna 172 (registration N6720A) operated by William R. Lord JR was involved in an aviation accident near Sewanee, TN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The inadequate visual lookout by the ground pedestrian. A factor was dark night conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A woman was struck by a turning propeller after running in front of an aircraft during engine shutdown. The incident occurred under dark night conditions.
Event Details
Prior to his departure, the pilot informed his girlfriend of his proposed arrival time at the destination airport. After landing, the pilot proceeded to park the airplane on the ramp. The pilot stated that he saw his girlfriend standing on a grassy hill on the airport as he taxied to parking. Before the pilot could complete the engine shutdown, his girlfriend had started running toward the airplane from the left side and continued to the right side of the airplane in front of the turning propeller. The pilot's girlfriend was struck by the turning propeller. Dark night conditions existed at the time.
Investigation
The circumstances surrounding the event have been documented. The pilot reported seeing his girlfriend on a grassy hill before taxiing to parking. The sequence of events leading to the propeller strike is clear: the woman ran from the left side of the aircraft to the right side, directly into the path of the rotating propeller, before the engine was shut down. The dark night conditions are noted as a factor in the environment.
What happened in the 25 Aug 1998 Cessna 172 accident near Sewanee, TN?
A woman was struck by a turning propeller after running in front of an aircraft during engine shutdown. The incident occurred under dark night conditions.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 25 Aug 1998 involved a Cessna 172, registration N6720A, operated by William R. Lord JR, at Sewanee, TN.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The inadequate visual lookout by the ground pedestrian. A factor was dark night conditions.
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