# NTSB CHI02CA279: Cessna 120, N2601N, Brookfield, WI, September 6, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 6, 2002, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Brookfield, WI
- Coordinates: 43.087501, -88.17778
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0875&lon=-88.1778&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 55753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI02CA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02CA279

## Probable cause

The inadequate visual outlook by the pilot during taxi.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - other person
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The airplane was being taxied for takeoff when the propeller struck a grounds keeper.  The pilot stated that he was taxiing to the west and was "S" turning and saw no obstacles.  He said that he heard a noise and saw a, "weedwhacker rise upward at right corner of windshield."  He stated that he shut the aircraft down and found the grounds keeper injured and lying on the ground.  The grounds keeper had been struck by the airplane propeller.

## Factual narrative

On September 6, 2002, at 1115 central daylight time, a Cessna 120, N2601N, piloted by a private pilot, struck and seriously injured a grounds keeper at the Capitol Airport, Brookfield, Wisconsin.  The airplane was being taxied to the runway prior to takeoff.  The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane was not injured.  The airplane was not damaged.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was conducted in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan.

In a written report, the pilot stated that he was taxiing to the west and was "S" turning and saw no obstacles.  He said that he heard a noise and saw a, "weedwhacker rise upward at right corner of windshield."  He stated that he shut the aircraft down and found the grounds keeper injured and lying on the ground.  The grounds keeper had been struck by the airplane propeller.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2601N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2601N), registered now, S/N 12861, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12861
- Engines: Continental C-85-12 reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis F. Disch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 02C, Brookfield, WI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,200 total, 758 in this make and model, 1,145 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20020906038039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020906038039A), Sep 6, 2002: Cessna 120, Brookfield, WI. (-23) On September 6, 2002, at 11:15 cdst, while taxiing for take-off aircraft propeller struck grounds keeper. The grounds keeper received serious injuries to…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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