PIPER PA 28-235 near Harrisonville, MO — 2017-06-08

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain a safe distance between the airplane and a person on the ground, which resulted in serious injuries to the person.

NTSB narrative

When the private pilot taxied the airplane to park, he was taxiing past his friend, who was using a camera to record the airplane. The pilot felt a thump and could not see his friend, so he turned the airplane around and saw his friend lying on the ground. The friend sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained damage to the left wingtip. Weather at the time of the accident was a clear sky with no restrictions to visibility.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have maintained better situational awareness while taxiing.

NTSB coding

• AC/prop/rotor contact w person · Taxi
• Attention / Monitoring
• Decision Making / Judgment

Evidence available

• Photos
• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• Pilot's Statementinterview
• Photo (Courtesy of FAA)photos
• News Reportreport