# Fatal NTSB investigations: Propeller/rotor contact to person

NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports.

Page 1 of 2 · 68 cases

## Latest cases

- [NTSB NYC08LA028](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08LA028.md): Bell 407 · Morristown, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 9, 2007 · N555BH · No damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from the idling main rotor blade. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to comply with the manufacturer's procedure for securing the helicopter.
- [NTSB LAX07LA270](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07LA270.md): Hughes 369D · Ellensburg, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 2007 · N31HM · No damage
  > The passenger's inadequate visual lookout and failure to maintain clearance from the rotating main rotor disc while the helicopter was hovering. An uphill terrain condition was a factor
- [NTSB DFW07IA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07IA193.md): Cessna A188B · Colorado City, TX · Incident · 1 fatal · Incident investigation · Final report · Aug 25, 2007 · N9561G · No damage
  > The pilot's failure to maintain clear of the rotating propeller.
- [NTSB DEN06LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06LA103.md): Ayres S2R-G10 · Dexter, NM · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 22, 2006 · N3298Y · No damage
  > The pilot's failure to remain clear of the airplane's propeller resulting in the propeller contacting the pilot and causing fatal injuries to the pilot.
- [NTSB LAX06LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA213.md): Cessna T210M · Hayward, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 25, 2006 · N761GW · No damage
  > The passenger's failure to see and avoid the rotating propeller.
- [NTSB LAX05LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA073.md): Cessna 172SP · Casa Grande, AZ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 19, 2005 · N2157H · No damage
  > the pilot's inadvertent encounter with a rotating propeller. Contributing factors were the dark night conditions and the pilot's fatigued condition.
- [NTSB LAX04LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA089.md): Cessna 172L · Vacaville, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 26, 2003 · N7668G · No damage
  > the pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure.
- [NTSB IAD03LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA036.md): Cessna R172K · Richmond, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 15, 2003 · N1444V · No damage
  > The passenger's failure to remain clear of the propeller. Factors included the passenger's recent use of marijuana, the pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, and the night lighting conditions.
- [NTSB CHI02LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02LA232.md): Bell 412 · Rantoul, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 2002 · N464AC · Minor damage
  > The congested takeoff and landing area and the low altitude flight maneuver performed by the pilot.
- [NTSB DCA01MA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA01MA056.md): de Havilland Dash 8-100 · Washington, DC · Accident · 1 fatal · Major investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2001 · N935HA · Minor damage
  > The ramp agent's impaired performance due to his hyperthyroidism, which was exacerbated by the heat and was inadequately controlled by medication, and possibly also due to the use of an antianxiety medication.
- [NTSB MIA01LA199](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA199.md): Cessna A188B · Pelham, GA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 2001 · N8358G · No damage
  > The ground refueler's inadequate visual lookout resulting in his walking into the rotating propeller of the airplane and receiving fatal injuries.
- [NTSB FTW01LA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW01LA081.md): Sikorsky SK-76A · Ec 270 · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 20, 2001 · N376AL · No damage
  > the passenger's inadvertent encounter with the rotating main rotor blades.
- [NTSB CHI00LA072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI00LA072.md): Cessna 180 · Tower, MN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 20, 2000 · N6545A · No damage
  > the passenger not maintaining clearance from the rotating propeller.
- [NTSB LAX00LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA018.md): Sikorsky CH-54A · Elko, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 16, 1999 · N9125M · No damage
  > the flight engineer's decision to climb a step ladder that put him in close proximity to the still turning main rotor blades. The gusting wind was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB FTW99FA201](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99FA201.md): Aerospatiale ATR-42-500 · Little Rock, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jul 28, 1999 · N14451 · Minor damage
  > The station manager's inadvertent encounter with the rotating propeller due to his diverted attention.
- [NTSB NYC99LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA063.md): Piper PA 32R-301 · Dulles, VA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 21, 1999 · N3559U · No damage
  > The FBO employee's diverted attention, resulting in an inadvertent encounter with a rotating propeller.
- [NTSB NYC99LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA027.md): Beech C35 · London, KY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1998 · N244L · No damage
  > The pilot's inadequate start procedure in which he fail to secure the aircraft from movement during an attempt to handprop the engine.
- [NTSB LAX99LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA019.md): Cessna 182Q · Fresno, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 30, 1998 · N5352N · No damage
  > The pilot's decision to allow unescorted passengers to approach the aircraft with the engine running, and, the passenger's failure to see and avoid the rotating propeller. A factor in the accident was the low ambient lighting conditions, which would have made…
- [NTSB ANC98LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC98LA112.md): de Havilland DHC-2 · Nondalton, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 30, 1998 · N123EF · No damage
  > The pilot's inadequate procedures/directives when he allowed a passenger to exit the cabin area while the propeller was still turning, and the passenger's failure to follow the pilot's instructions to stay away from the propeller. A factor associated with the…
- [NTSB CHI97LA140](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA140.md): Aerospatiale AS-365-N2 · Indianapolis, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 21, 1997 · N653CN · No damage
  > inadequate visual clearance by the passenger resulting in his being struck with the rotor blade. A factor relating to this accident was the gusting winds.
- [NTSB CHI96FA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96FA323.md): Globe GC-1B · Hampshire, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 1996 · N570SR · Minor damage
  > improper use of the mini-bike by the driver. Factors relating to the accident were: darkness, the unlighted mini-bike, and insufficient standards required by the residents of the airstrip concerning use of the taxiways at night.
- [NTSB MIA96LA135](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA135.md): de Havilland DHC-6 · Raeford, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 1996 · N716NC · No damage
  > failure of the passenger to follow the instructions of ground personnel as she exited the aircraft.
- [NTSB FTW96LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA161.md): Bensen Gyroplane · Carthage, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 1996 · NONE · Minor damage
  > the pilot's inadequate coordination with the spectator, concerning the spectator's need to remain clear of the takeoff area, and the spectator's failure to remain clear of the takeoff area. A factor relating to the accident was: the spectator's distorted…
- [NTSB FTW95LA207](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA207.md): Air Tractor AT-502 · Mcgehee, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 19, 1995 · N4536Q · Minor damage
  > The ground service person's lack of attention and failure to remain clear of the turning propeller.
- [NTSB FTW95LA100](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA100.md): Cessna A152 · Houston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 24, 1995 · N4892A · Minor damage
  > The pilot's inadequate supervision of the passenger. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight of the aircraft.
- [NTSB ANC95LA012](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA012.md): Bell 206 · Juneau, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 20, 1994 · N49686 · No damage
  > The employee's disregard for company training and policies about the dangers of helicopter rotor blades. The running aircraft with the rotors turning was a factor in the accident.
- [NTSB LAX94LA376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA376.md): Cessna 182Q · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 24, 1994 · N96642 · No damage
  > the pilot's failure to shut down the engine before deplaning a passenger.
- [NTSB FTW94LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA180.md): Cessna 182A · Roland, AR · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 25, 1994 · N3848D · Minor damage
  > Both the pilot and passenger's failure to follow procedure/directives.
- [NTSB BFO94LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA041.md): Cessna 150 · Lima, OH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 18, 1994 · N7843E · Minor damage
  > The failure of the passenger to maintain clerance from the propeller.
- [NTSB BFO94LA002](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA002.md): Fairchild SA 227-AC · Newark, NJ · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 1993 · N550TD · No damage
  > 1) The failure of the ramp agent to follow proper procedures during the servicing of the airplane, and 2) her lack of attention to the hazards surrounding her. Factors related to the accident are 1) the pressure placed on the ramp agent to rush the servicing…
- [NTSB MIA94LA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA007.md): Cessna 182-P · Orlando, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 15, 1993 · N20718 · Minor damage
  > The pilot's improper procedures and his complacency during his attempts to start the engine.
- [NTSB BFO93LA186](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA186.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Niagara Falls, NY · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1993 · N8992P · No damage
  > The pilot's failure to follow starting procedures and his inadequate preflight inspection by not removing the wheel chocks and the passenger not maintaining clearance from the propeller.
- [NTSB ANC93LA171](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA171.md): Piper PA-12 · Ptarmigan Pass, AK · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 6, 1993 · N3629M · No damage
  > The pilot inadvertently walked into a turning propeller. Factors in the accident were the soft runway which mired the airplane and the pilot's diverted attention during the attempt to free the airplane.
- [NTSB NYC93LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA172.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Ashland, NH · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 23, 1993 · N82819 · No damage
  > The pilot's improper decision to leave the airplane unattended with the engine operating.
- [NTSB SEA93GA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93GA052.md): Hiller UH-12E · Chinook, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jan 15, 1993 · N28908 · Minor damage
  > Inattentive FBO personnel.
- [NTSB LAX92FA410](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA410.md): Robinson R22-B · Martinez, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 30, 1992 · N8069X · Destroyed
  > An undetermined divergence of the main rotor from its normal plane of rotation which resulted in rotor contact to the fuselage and passenger.
- [NTSB CHI92LA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA198.md): Cessna 177B · Dwight, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 5, 1992 · N35107 · No damage
  > The passenger's inattention to the propeller arc and the pilot's improper procedure in disembarking a passenger while the engine was running.
- [NTSB ATL92LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA034.md): Cessna 177B · Memphis, TN · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 8, 1992 · N13564 · No damage
  > The passenger's failure to follow proper procedures to walk behind the airplane. Factors were the dawn light conditions and the light rain.
- [NTSB NYC92LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA005.md): Aerospatiale ATR-42-320 · Bridgeport, CT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 1991 · N25811 · Minor damage
  > The employee's failure to follow proper procedures and the diversion of her attention which resulted in her being struck by a spinning propeller.
- [NTSB FTW91LA163](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91LA163.md): Champion 7-GCB · Frankston, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1991 · N9908Y · No damage
  > The ground person did not understand the verbal instructions.
- [NTSB LAX91LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA147.md): de Havilland DHC6-300 · Nuuuli, Antarctica · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 22, 1991 · 5WFAU · No damage
  > The inadequate lighting of the gate at the terminal and inadequate training of the security guard by company personnel. Contributing to this accident was a dark night condition.
- [NTSB CHI91LA102](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA102.md): Aeronca 15AC · St.Croix Falls, WI · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Mar 3, 1991 · N1340H · No damage
  > Failure to conduct a passenger safety briefing, and inadequate supervision, by the pilot in command. A factor related to the accident is the passenger's inattentiveness.
- [NTSB LAX90LA319](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA319.md): Robinson R-22 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 9, 1990 · N80750 · Substantial damage
  > The pilot's inadequate passenger briefing, and his failure to provide proper assistance to the exiting passenger.
- [NTSB SEA90FA115](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA115.md): Aerospatiale AS350B · Glacier, WA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 30, 1990 · N101FW · Substantial damage
  > Passenger did not follow the procedures associated with the operations in the vicinity of the helicopter.
- [NTSB SEA90FA080](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA080.md): Swearingen SA226-T(B) · Coeur D'Alene, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 20, 1990 · N161RS · Minor damage
  > Inadequate coordination between the pilot and the ground lineman. A factor related to the accident was: impairment of the ground lineman from consumption of alcohol.
- [NTSB DEN90LA032](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA032.md): Piper PA-18-150 · Powderville, MT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 3, 1989 · N62672 · No damage
  > The pilot in command left the airplane unattended with the engine running. That the pilot's son did not understand the unsafe condition is considered a contributing factor.
- [NTSB FTW89DRD10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRD10.md): Grumman G-164-B · Mer Rouge, LA · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Jun 30, 1989 · N8341K · No damage
  > The failure of the individual struck by the taxiing airplane's propeller to visually perceive and avoid the airplane.
- [NTSB NYC88LA212](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA212.md): Cessna 152 · Swanton, VT · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 10, 1988 · N757LD · Minor damage
  > The plt took the passenger (his wife) on a short flt, which was her 1st flt. She was described as apprehensive. Before going back to the parking area after landing, the plt taxied to the terminal bldg for his wife to deplane. He stopped the acft with the left…
- [NTSB ATL87LA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA143.md): Beech B100 · Birmingham, AL · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · May 19, 1987 · N753D · Minor damage
  > The lineman walked into the prop arc of the operating rt engine and was fatally injured after disconnecting a ground power unit (gpu) cable from the rt engine nacelle. The lineman initially approached the nacelle from the rear, but walked forward into the…
- [NTSB CHI87DEE04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEE04.md): Cessna 172 · Plainfield, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Feb 2, 1987 · N2968U · No damage
  > While taxiing for takeoff, the aircraft became stuck in a snowbank. The pilot and passenger got out of the aircraft to free it. The passenger walked into the propeller of the running engine and received fatal injuries.

Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?fatal=1&occurrence=370&page=2

## The whole list in SQL

Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS:

```sql
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url
FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1
WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal'
  AND c."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 370)
ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
```

This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?fatal=1&occurrence=370

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