History of Flight
On 3 July 2019, a pilot arrived at Pongola Aerodrome (FAPL) intending to fly a Cessna 210T, registration ZS-MGB, to Rand Aerodrome (FAGM) under Part 91 private flight rules. The pilot towed the aircraft from its hangar, performed pre-flight checks, started the engine, and taxied to the beginning of the tarred taxiway to conduct engine run-up checks.
While the pilot was occupied with the run-up checks, a security guard approached the aircraft from the right side. The guard was below the high wing and initially unseen by the pilot. Realizing the pilot was seated on the left, the guard walked toward the front of the aircraft to reach the left side. In doing so, he walked into the spinning propeller, which struck him multiple times.
The guard succumbed to his injuries before emergency medical services arrived. The aircraft sustained no damage.
Injuries
The security guard suffered fatal injuries. The pilot was uninjured.
Aircraft and Aerodrome Information
The aircraft, a Cessna 210T manufactured in 1980, had accumulated 3236.1 total airframe hours. The engine was a Teledyne Continental, and the propeller was a McCauley D3A3AC402. The last mandatory periodic inspection was on 30 June 2019 at 3198.4 hours.
Pongola Aerodrome is a licensed aerodrome. An aerodrome audit on 8 September 2018 found a defective wind direction indicator and a damaged perimeter fence, neither of which were corrected and were unrelated to the accident.
The security guard, who held a Grade C security qualification, was on relief duty and normally based at a flea market. He had worked at the aerodrome only once before, in December 2018.
Findings
The investigation revealed that the security guard was struck by the spinning propeller while attempting to go around the front of the aircraft to collect landing fees from the pilot. The security guard company had instructed guards to wait for pilots to disembark before approaching. The local municipality had exempted hangar-based aircraft from landing fees. The guard on duty post-accident was not wearing a reflector jacket, which was required by regulations but was not directly related to the accident.