Accident Details
On 30 May 2025, a flight instructor planned a cross-country flight with a student in a Cessna C-152, registration SP-KMA, at EPML. After engine start on the apron, another aircraft, SP-KMG, stopped nearby while taxiing. The student in SP-KMG requested assistance via radio. The instructor in SP-KMA, lacking direct radio contact with SP-KMG, exited his aircraft without shutting down the engine. While trying to gesture instructions to the other aircraft, he misjudged the distance to his own aircraft's rotating propeller. The propeller struck and cut his left hand.
Response and Injuries
Students in both aircraft immediately shut down the engines and called for help. Personnel from the operator's maintenance organization provided pre-medical aid, and an emergency medical team was summoned. The instructor sustained serious hand injuries. The aircraft was not damaged.
Causes and Contributing Factors
The investigation identified the following causes and contributing factors:
- The instructor's decision to exit the aircraft with the engine running, followed by an incorrect assessment of the distance to the rotating propeller.
- Automatic behavior by the instructor, likely habitual actions performed without awareness of the risk and consequences of contact with the propeller, with attention focused on the student's problem rather than personal safety.
- Action under situational pressure, involving organizing a flight for his own student while simultaneously attempting to assist another trainee.
- Lack of adequate ground movement coordination and proper supervision of the student taxiing independently in SP-KMG.
- Lack of functioning radio communication from the instructor's seat in SP-KMA.
Preventive Actions
The investigating entity accepted the following preventive actions proposed by the organization: 1. Revision of ground movement procedures, establishing that approaching an aircraft is only permitted after engine shutdown and securing the aircraft. 2. Conducting training for instructors on risk assessment and handling non-standard and emergency situations on the ground. 3. Training for flight personnel on communication and coordination of ground movement when multiple aircraft are in the maneuvering area. 4. Development of a graphical apron plan indicating movement directions and parking positions before and after engine start, provided to crews during pre-flight briefings. 5. Consultation between maintenance/CAMO organizations and the training organization on changes to taxi and parking procedures to ensure maximum ground safety. 6. Continuous monitoring of preventive actions within the organization's safety management system (SMS).
The commission did not issue any safety recommendations.