LUSCOMBE 8F near Vicksburg, MI — 2017-03-20

Probable cause

The pilot's inadvertent contact with the propeller while hand propping the engine, which resulted in a fatal injury.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot was found lying on the ground under the nose of the airplane with a fatal head injury from a propeller strike. Normal engine start for this airplane required hand propping the engine. The airplane was found with the left wheel chocked, and the magneto, throttle control, primer, and fuel tank selector settings as expected for an engine start. It is likely that, during hand propping, the pilot inadvertently entered the path of the propeller. The Federal Aviation Administration advises pilots that hand propping should only be attempted with two properly trained people, and the pilot was alone when he was fatally injured.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

Pilot should not have attempted to hand prop the engine alone.

NTSB coding

• AC/prop/rotor contact w person · Prior to flight

Evidence available

• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• Witness Statementinterview
• Police Reportreport
• Toxicological Reportreport

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