Accident Overview
On December 26, 2009, at 02:08 UTC, a Cessna T210L, registration N2015S, was involved in a ground accident at Aeródromo Eduardo Gomes (SBEG), Manaus, Brazil. The aircraft had just completed a repositioning flight from Boa Vista (SBBV) to Manaus, with an ultimate destination of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. The flight originated in the United States. Two pilots were on board.
Flight Details
After landing and taxiing, the aircraft parked at the Terminal de Cargas 2 apron. The pilot exited the aircraft through the right door and retrieved an object from the ground. He then walked forward toward the front of the aircraft, entering the arc of the still-turning propeller. The propeller struck the pilot, causing immediate stoppage. The pilot sustained injuries and was attended by airport paramedics approximately five minutes later. He was transported to Hospital João Lúcio, where he died around 06:40 UTC.
The aircraft sustained minor damage. The other pilot was uninjured.
Investigation Findings
Both pilots held valid medical certificates and single-engine land airplane ratings. They were qualified but lacked experience on the Cessna T210L model. The aircraft had a valid airworthiness certificate and was within weight and balance limits. Logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were current.
The flight had not completed customs procedures at Boa Vista due to the absence of customs officers. The crew departed for Manaus without fileing a flight plan. Upon arrival, Federal Police and customs agents were waiting on the left and in front of the parked aircraft.
The investigation noted that the pilot, possibly attempting to promptly attend to authorities, may not have fully completed engine shutdown procedures before exiting. Additionally, momentary inattention while picking up the object may have contributed to the accident. The report listed attention and perception as contributing factors.
Aftermath
No corrective or preventive actions had been taken as of the report's issuance. The investigation recommended that the Brazilian civil aviation authority disseminate lessons learned to alert pilots and operators about the risks of moving near the propeller disc area.