# NTSB CHI87FA185: Cessna 120, N76249, Oshkosh, WI, August 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1987, 14:05 local (19:05 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Coordinates: 44.060333, -88.539024 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0603&lon=-88.5390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87FA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13651/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87FA185

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS TAXIING OUT OF THE ANTIQUE/CLASSIC CAMPING AREA AT OSHKOSH WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF WING WALKERS WHEN HE STOPPED TO PERMIT THE PAX (HIS WIFE) TO PERFORM AN ERRAND. THE PAX DEPLANED & WENT UNDER THE OUTER 1/3 OF THE WING STRUT, THEN WALKED BACK INTO THE PATH OF THE IDLING PROP. HER LEFT FOREARM WAS NEARLY SEVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76249](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76249-2018-12-18), registration cancelled 2018-12-18, S/N 10654, built 1946 (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: 10654
- Airframe hours: 1625
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John J. Sonday
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1986, 25 hours before
- Destination: 3AR, LAFAYETTE, IN
- Airport: OSH, Wittman Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 10,100 total, 35 in this make and model, 80 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH

## 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 19870805043389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870805043389A), Aug 5, 1987: Cessna 120, Oshkosh, WI. Passenger deplaned, ducked under a wing and walked into idling propeller. Pilot failed to caution passenger of prop.

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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