# NTSB CHI95LA231: Cessna 337H, N53449, Holland, MI, July 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1995, 01:30 local (05:30 UTC)
- Place: Holland, MI
- Location: 42.7676° N, 86.0986° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Holland, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7676&lon=-86.0986&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 25, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9952
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI95LA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9952/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA231

## Probable cause

the passenger's improper decision to exit the airplane with the engine(s) running.

## 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, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

The passenger exited the airplane to wipe dew off the windshield.  While doing this, she walked into the rear side of the front propeller.  The pilot stated that he tried to stop the passenger when he realized she was exiting the airplane, but was unable to, so he shut the fuel flow off to the engines.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1995, at 0130 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 337, N53499, had the propeller strike a passenger who exited the airplane at the Tulip City Airport, Holland, Michigan.  The airplane was not damaged.  The pilot was not injured and the passenger was seriously injured.  The flight was to have originated shortly after the accident occurred.

The pilot stated that after performing the engine run-up at the end of the runway, he opened his side window to wipe dew off the windshield.  He stated the passenger opened her door and was unable to reach the windshield with her seatbelt on.  The pilot reported that the passenger unfastened her seatbelt and stepped out of the airplane.  He stated he reached out to stop her but she was already out of his reach.  He stated he reached for the fuel flow levers and moved them to idle cut-off.  Prior to the propellers stopping the passenger stepped into the rear side of the forward propeller.  The propeller contacted her right arm and thigh.

The pilot exited the airplane and moved the passenger to a grass area alongside the runway.  He then returned to his airplane and taxied back to the ramp area where he called the local authorities for help.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53449](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53449), registered now, S/N 33701631 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 337H
- Registry model: [Cessna 337G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-337g) (registry code 2075730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33701663
- Airframe hours: 1280
- Engines: Continental IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thom Beeson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1994, 60 hours before
- Departed: C19
- Destination: UGN, WAUKEGAN, IL
- Airport: C19, Tulip City Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 3,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19950722024569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950722024569A), Jul 22, 1995: Cessna 337G, Holland, MI. During runup at end runway. Passenger exited on his own to wipe dew off windshield. Backed into propeller. (-23) the flight was to return to the chicago, IL…

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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