What happened
On 29 August 2000, a Lightship A-60 airship, registration I-TIRE, was conducting a post-maintenance test flight at Wolverhampton Business Airport. The aircraft, powered by two Limbach L-2/000 piston engines, approached the airfield with its left engine shut down as part of a standard landing procedure.
A ground handling crew was positioned in a 'V' formation on the paved runway to intercept the airship. As the aircraft approached, a member of the car party attempted to move toward the gondola's right-hand rail. During this movement, the crew member tripped and fell onto her back. As she fell, the aircraft's right engine passed over her, and the tip of the unprotected propeller struck her right ankle. The incident resulted in one serious injury to a member of the ground crew, who suffered a broken ankle.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the ground handling process and the physical environment at the time of the accident. It was noted that the ground crew member had been working since the previous afternoon with very limited sleep before returning to the airfield for the landing.
Investigators also looked into the equipment being used, noting that the crew member was wearing trainers instead of her usual boots because her standard footwear had become wet. The investigation also reviewed the design of the Lightship A-60, specifically the lack of propeller guards on the 60-inch diameter pusher propellers. While the manufacturer noted that such guards are not regulatorily required and present weight and performance challenges, the investigation looked at the clearance between the propeller and the ground, which is typically only 25.25 inches when the landing gear is down.
Findings
- The primary cause of the injury was the crew member tripping and falling into the path of the moving propeller.
- The crew member was experiencing significant fatigue due to a period of intense work and insufficient rest prior to the landing.
- The use of trainers instead of appropriate safety boots may have contributed to the slip or trip.
- The landing approach was reported by the crew member to be faster than previous experiences.