# NTSB CHI90DEM06: Funk, D.D. B-85C, N77721, White Cloud, MI, July 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 8, 1990, 11:38 local (15:38 UTC)
- Place: White Cloud, MI
- Coordinates: 43.550914, -85.770332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5509&lon=-85.7703&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 November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14470
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEM06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14470/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM06

## Probable cause

THE PASSENGERS DISREGARD OF THE PILOT'S INSTRUCTIONS AND HER FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE PROPELLER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing
  - clearance - not maintained, passenger (cause)
  - instructions,written/verbal - disregarded, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TAXIED OFF THE HARD SURFACE RUNWAY INTO THE GRASS TO ALLOW ANOTHER AIRPLANE TO TAKEOFF ON THE RUNWAY. UPON RETURNING TO THE RUNWAY SURFACE, THE PASSENGER REPORTED TO THE PILOT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING TANGLED ON THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR. THE PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRPLANE TO UNTANGLE THE GEAR AND WAS STRUCK BY THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER DISREGARDED HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO STAY BEHIND THE LANDING GEAR WHEN OUT OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77721](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N77721), registered now, S/N 351 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Funk, D.D. Aviation Co. B-85C
- Registry model: [Funk B85C](https://openairdocs.org/model/funk-b85c) (registry code 5480208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 351
- Airframe hours: 2037
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thomas C. Waldorf
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1990, 30 hours before
- Departed: 42C, WHITE CLOUD, MI
- Destination: 6D6, GREENVILLE, MI
- Airport: 42C, White Cloud, runway 17, 2,911 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 97 total, 30 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19900708024959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900708024959A), Jul 8, 1990: Mclish FUNKB, White Cloud, MI. Pilots wife got out of aircraft to dislodge item in landing gear while taxiing for takeoff,was struck by propeller.

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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