Background
On 9 May 1998, at approximately 1630 local time, a Piper PA-18-181M aircraft, registration HB-ORH, was involved in a ground accident at Bellechasse aerodrome in Switzerland. The aircraft was privately owned and operated, and was returning from a glider towing flight.
Accident Sequence
After landing, the aircraft taxied on the grass runway toward the threshold of runway 26. During this maneuver, the aircraft moved to the right to clear the runway and stopped to allow a glider to land. While stopped, the pilot noticed a female club colleague, a glider pilot, walking toward the runway threshold and waved to her. The colleague approached the aircraft; the pilot reduced engine power to minimum and the glider pilot boarded the rear seat. The aircraft then resumed taxiing to the runway threshold, turned 180 degrees to connect to the next glider ready for departure, and stopped again. The pilot again reduced engine power to idle. The rear passenger thanked the pilot, exited the cabin via the front, and walked forward. She then collapsed, having struck the propeller blade tips with her left hand, head, and a finger of her right hand. The pilot stopped the engine and called for help; the flight service supervisor alerted Rega (Swiss Air Rescue).
Aircraft and Personnel
The aircraft was a Piper PA-18-181M, equipped with a four-blade fixed-pitch wooden propeller. It was certified for VFR day flights and glider towing. The pilot held a valid private pilot license with 196:06 total flight hours, including 20:33 on type. The rear passenger held a valid glider pilot license and had flown earlier that morning. No evidence suggested health issues for either individual. The weather was blue sky with no wind.
Established Facts
The aircraft was properly authorized for the operation. The passenger exited the aircraft using the front step, which was considered an unusual procedure. The passenger's recollection ended at the moment of exit; she had no memory of the subsequent collision.
Cause
The official investigation determined that the collision with the propeller was due to an inadequate procedure for exiting the cabin, resulting from a distraction of the rear passenger.