On February 11, 2007, a Cessna 172 (registration N124SJ) was involved in an aviation accident near Lancaster, TX. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The spectator's inadvertent contact with the turning propeller while the airplane was standing with the engine operating. A contributing factor was the 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 private pilot reported that a woman was seriously injured after walking into the idling propeller of a single-engine airplane on the ramp. The incident occurred at night under visual meteorological conditions.
Incident Details
A private pilot reported that a single-engine airplane was parked on the ramp with the engine idling when a female taking pictures of the pilot and passengers inadvertently walked into the turning propeller.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot's NTSB Form 6120.1/2, after conducting a local area flight, he landed and taxied the airplane to the ramp. He parked the airplane parallel to the terminal building and kept the engine running. A female observer walked from the terminal building to the left, rear side of the airplane to photograph the passengers in the back seat. She then proceeded to the front of the aircraft where she was struck by the idling propeller.
Injuries and Damage
The female who walked into the propeller sustained serious injuries. There was no damage to the airplane, and the pilot and three passengers were not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the mishap.
What happened in the 11 Feb 2007 Cessna 172 accident near Lancaster, TX?
A private pilot reported that a woman was seriously injured after walking into the idling propeller of a single-engine airplane on the ramp. The incident occurred at night under visual meteorological conditions.
Were there any fatalities in the 11 Feb 2007 Cessna 172 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 11 Feb 2007 involved a Cessna 172, registration N124SJ, at Lancaster, TX.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The spectator's inadvertent contact with the turning propeller while the airplane was standing with the engine operating. A contributing factor was the dark night conditions.
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