What happened
On August 16, 2014, at approximately 19:20 UTC, an incident occurred at the Viseu Municipal Aerodrome (LPVZ) during the annual Viseu Airshow. A Cessna 152, registration CS-DAS, operated by Aeroclube de Viseu, had just completed a joyflight for a child and was parked on the apron. The engine was running at idle as the pilot was reviewing the checklist to perform engine shutdown procedures.
A 21-year-old ground crew member, tasked with guiding children to and from the aircraft, approached the plane from the rear and right side. After determining that assistance was not required, the individual moved toward the front of the aircraft, inadvertently entering the propeller's rotation arc. The pilot did not notice the movement in time to take evasive action. The propeller struck the crew member, resulting in severe lacerations to the left shoulder, as well as injuries to the face and chest.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation established that the aircraft was in perfect operational condition and all required documentation was valid. The pilot held a valid Commercial Pilot License. The investigation noted that the incident occurred near sunset, which resulted in reduced visibility. The crew member was not wearing hearing protection at the time of the strike. The investigation also considered that the individual had experience in similar roles at previous airshows and was not under the influence of any substances.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the improper movement of a person near an aircraft with a rotating propeller, specifically choosing a dangerous path rather than following established safety protocols.
- Reduced sunlight due to the proximity to sunset contributed to the incident.
- The engine was at idle, which resulted in lower noise levels, potentially masking the danger.
- The crew member's familiarity with operating around running engines during the long event may have led to a diminished perception of the inherent risks.
Safety action
To mitigate the risks associated with moving people and objects near aircraft with running engines, the GPIAAF proposes that airshow organizers implement specific information and training measures regarding safe ground movement procedures for all event collaborators.