Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA 18-150 near McCarthy, AK — 2015-06-04

Final reportANC15LA035
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Date
2015-06-04
Location
McCarthy, AK, USA
Airport
15Z
Aircraft
PIPER PA 18-150
Registration
N985W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to ensure adequate clearance from the spinning propeller while traversing the area between the leading edge of the wing and the nose of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the decision to leave the cockpits of the airplanes unattended while the engines were idling and gear was being loaded on board.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the decision to leave the cockpits of the airplanes unattended while the engines were idling and gear was being loaded on board.

NTSB narrative

The accident airplane and three other airplanes were parked in a slightly staggered line and were being prepared for a cross-country group instructional flight. To stave off swarms of mosquitos while loading the airplanes, the engines of all four airplanes were started and allowed to operate at idle with the cockpits unattended. While the pilot was loading gear onto the right side of the accident airplane, the unoccupied airplane to the left of the accident airplane began slowly moving forward. The pilot attempted to go around the front of the accident airplane toward the left wing, likely to avoid the propeller of the moving airplane. Subsequently, the pilot was struck three times by the back of the accident airplane's spinning propeller.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured propeller was stopped before loading the airplane.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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