Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172F near Albemarle, NC — 2012-12-02

Final reportERA13LA075
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Date
2012-12-02
Location
Albemarle, NC, USA
Airport
VUJ
Aircraft
CESSNA 172F
Registration
N8475U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The student pilot's failure to remain clear of the airplane’s rotating propeller.

NTSB narrative

The student pilot and flight instructor had landed, parked, and secured the airplane. They returned about 15 minutes later and attempted to restart the airplane but were unable to do so. An external battery supply was connected to the airplane by the owner of the flight school, and at that time of the engine start, the student was located behind the airplane. After the engine was started, the instructor allowed the engine to idle for about 1 minute while the external power supply was removed by the owner. Neither the owner nor the instructor observed the student walk from the rear of the airplane to the front until the airplane's engine made an unusual sound, and they then noticed the student running from the front of the airplane. The student pilot sustained a serious injury to his left arm.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Student pilot should not have been behind the running airplane during engine start.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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