Accident Details
On January 30, 2012, about 0830 Pacific standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200 (registration N746R) was involved in an accident at Gillespie Field Airport in San Diego, California. The pilot was fatally injured after being struck by the airplane's propeller during engine start. The passenger was not injured, and the airplane sustained no damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the planned personal cross-country flight, which was originating at the time.
Sequence of Events
The pilot was preparing for a flight to Bermuda Dunes, California. According to the passenger, they were seated in the airplane when the pilot made three unsuccessful attempts to start the engine. The pilot then told the passenger, "get out, I need to jump it." The passenger exited the airplane and was walking away when he heard a noise. Looking back toward the front of the airplane, he saw the pilot lying on the ground below the propeller. The airplane's engine was not running.
Cockpit Configuration
Federal Aviation Administration inspectors responded to the scene and reported that photographs of the cockpit taken immediately after the accident by a local law enforcement officer showed the magneto switch was in the both position, the mixture control was full forward (rich), the propeller control was full forward, the throttle control was about 1/4 travel forward, and the master switch was off.