History of Flight
The aircraft, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan registered 8R-GFA and operated by Air Services Limited, departed Mahdia Aerodrome at 18:17 UTC on 15 October 2021. It was the second of several planned cargo shuttle flights that day, carrying five 55-gallon containers of motor fuel. The flight landed on Runway 25 at Kamarang Aerodrome at 18:54 UTC without incident. The commander taxied to the end of the runway and stopped with the aircraft nose at approximately 45 degrees to the centreline. The propeller was feathered, but the engine was not shut off.
Accident Sequence
After parking, the commander opened the pilot door and leaned out. He observed two persons approaching the aircraft from the tail area from a north-westerly direction. When they were near the left rear of the aircraft, he directed them to install the tail support strut. One individual began installing the strut, while the other moved out of the commander's line of sight. The commander then felt a thud and heard an abnormal noise. The person installing the strut shouted that someone had been hit by the propeller. The commander saw a person on the ground, bleeding and motionless, and immediately shut off the engine. He then exited the aircraft and contacted the owner/operator by telephone. Police arrived and took control of the site.
Injuries and Damage
The person struck by the propeller sustained lacerations and was unresponsive. The investigation identified the person as a new employee on his second day of work. The aircraft propeller was damaged, but no further details on damage extent are available from the source.
Contributory Factors
The initial investigation and interviews identified several contributory factors. The aircraft engine was feathered but not turned off after parking. The pilot had not shut off the engine during previous shuttle operations. The person killed was a new employee, inexperienced and untrained in his roles and responsibilities or company procedures, including aerodrome safety. The person who installed the tail support strut was not a full-time employee of Air Services Limited but a freelancer, also untrained. Additional safety issues observed included adults, children, and dogs on the runway after aircraft landed, a lack of proper supervision at Kamarang Aerodrome, and the absence of fencing and safety signage.
Safety Recommendations
The investigation recommended that the aerodrome owner/operator place warning signs at strategic points in large bold red font in English and Spanish, stating that persons and animals must keep clear of the runway and only approach the aircraft after its engines are shut off and when requested. Aircraft operators must ensure staff are adequately trained and receive company indoctrination on policies and safety. Companies with regular operations at domestic interior aerodromes must have proper supervision at all times. A directive was recommended that aircraft engines be shut off after parking before passengers or cargo are handled, for all operations including shuttle operations, and that operators amend their manuals accordingly.