Accident Overview
On March 20, 2017, at approximately 1644 central daylight time, a Luscombe 8F (registration N2007B) was involved in a ground accident at Thrall Lake Airport (7MI3) in Vicksburg, Michigan. The commercial pilot, who was the operator and registered owner of the aircraft, was attempting to start the engine when he was struck by the propeller. The pilot sustained fatal craniocerebral injuries, as determined by an autopsy performed by the Department of Pathology, Western Michigan University. The airplane itself did not sustain damage. The flight was intended as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Investigation Details
According to the local police report, the pilot's wife called a friend of the pilot that afternoon to inquire about his whereabouts. The friend drove to the airport and found the pilot lying on the grass under the nose of the airplane with a fatal head injury. The friend reported the accident to police at about 1844. The airport owner, who responded to the airport at police request, stated that the pilot likely was attempting to hand-prop the engine when the accident occurred. The magneto switch was found in the "Both" position; the throttle was at idle; the primer was unlocked; and the fuel tank selector was in the "ON" position. The airport owner noted that the pilot had refueled the airplane and had chocked the left tire, consistent with preparing for flight. The airport owner indicated that the accident occurred after his employees left the airport at about 1600.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The airplane was a Luscombe 8F, registered to a private individual. The pilot had been flying the airplane for about 15 years, according to the aircraft owner. The owner believed the pilot had extensive knowledge of hand-propping procedures, which was the normal starting method for the airplane. No known malfunctions or failures with the propeller, airframe, or engine were reported that would have precluded normal operation.
Regulatory Guidance
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook states that hand-propping an airplane is a critical procedure that should never be attempted alone. It recommends that only two properly trained people, both familiar with the airplane and hand-propping techniques, perform the procedure. The handbook describes the recommended procedure and communication commands for hand-propping.
Toxicology and Autopsy
An autopsy determined the cause of death as craniocerebral injuries. Toxicology testing performed by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory was negative for ethanol and drugs.