Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 152 near Atwater, CA — 2008-11-16

Final reportWPR09LA040
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Date
2008-11-16
Location
Atwater, CA, USA
Airport
KMER
Aircraft
CESSNA 152
Registration
N45994
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The second pilot's failure to see and avoid the rotating propeller after exiting the airplane.

NTSB narrative

At the completion of the final leg of a cross-country flight, the two student pilots taxied the airplane toward the ramp. Prior to reaching the parking area, the student pilot seated in the right seat, concerned about being seen by flight school personnel, instructed the other student pilot to taxi the airplane to the designated parking area, where he would exit the airplane. The student pilot seated in the left seat reported that after the student pilot seated in the right seat exited the airplane, he ran toward the front of the airplane and was struck by the turning propeller.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Second pilot could have waited for the first pilot to exit before approaching the propeller.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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