History
On 3 April 2023, a Diamond DA40 aircraft registered F-GUVU was preparing for an instruction flight at Annecy-Meythet (Haute-Savoie). After engine start-up, the controller informed the instructor and student-pilot that a bag left on the wing had fallen to the ground. The instructor, unable to see the bag from his seat, asked the student-pilot to exit the aircraft to retrieve it. The student-pilot got out from the front of the leading edge, moved forward while bending down, and was struck by the rotating propeller on his right arm, which threw him to the ground. The instructor stopped the engine and alerted emergency services by radio.
Persons on Board
The 43-year-old instructor held an Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL(A)) and a Flight Instructor (FI(A)) rating, with about 7,000 total flight hours, including 1,300 on single-engine aircraft and 70 as an instructor. The 51-year-old student-pilot had about 15 flight hours; this was his second flight on the DA40 after a break in training.
Aircraft Information
F-GUVU was a four-seat DA40 with tricycle landing gear, a forward-tilting canopy, and a rear left gullwing door. Access to the front seats was via a step in front of each wing and a reinforced wing-walkway.
Events
According to video recordings, after engine start, a bag fell from the left wing due to propeller blast. The instructor decided to keep the engine running, citing time pressure and confidence in the student. He expected the student to exit from the rear. The student, however, exited using the front step as he was accustomed, bent down to look under the wing, and moved forward into the propeller. The instructor stated he could not communicate with the student due to engine noise and wind, and could not reach the fuel cut-off switch quickly from the right seat.
Safety Aspects
The aircraft checklist did not include verifying documents on board before start-up. Some flying clubs have added such items to checklists. There is no regulatory requirement to shut down engines when personnel move around aircraft; operators are responsible for risk assessment and procedures.
Conclusions
The investigation concluded that after engine start-up, a bag left on the wing fell off. The instructor decided to keep the engine running and asked the student to retrieve it. The instructor, expecting the student to exit from the rear, did not coordinate the strategy. The student exited from the front as usual, without recognizing the risk of the rotating propeller, and moved into its path.
Contributing factors included: placing a bag on the wing before inspection; failure to check documents before start-up; time pressure leading to the decision to keep the engine running; insufficient coordination between instructor and student; and underestimation of risks associated with exiting the aircraft with the propeller rotating.