# NTSB ERA09CA041: Cessna 172, N1242C, Frederick, MD, November 7, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 6, 2008, 19:06 local (Nov 7, 2008, 00:06 UTC)
- Place: Frederick, MD
- Coordinates: 39.417499, -77.374168 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4175&lon=-77.3742&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) shutdown: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA041

## Probable cause

The passenger’s failure to avoid the rotating propeller after exiting the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to include deplaning procedures as part of the passenger safety briefing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): issuing instructions](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063538/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Standing-engine(s) shutdown: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After landing at the airport, the passenger seated in the left seat of the Cessna 172 exited the airplane to notify restaurant staff of her arrival. As she walked toward the front of the airplane, the passenger stated she did not see the rotating propeller and "walked into it." In a statement taken by local police immediately following the accident, the pilot reported he asked the passenger to get out of the airplane and go into the restaurant to find out where the airplane could be parked. In a subsequent written statement provided to the Safety Board, the pilot stated the passenger exited the airplane without his knowledge, while he was shutting down the engine. The passenger was not available to answer subsequent questions regarding what, if any, briefing was given to the passenger by the pilot, pertaining to procedures for exiting the airplane. During an interview, the pilot stated that prior to the flight he had not briefed the passenger on procedures for exiting the airplane.

## Factual narrative

After landing at the airport, the passenger seated in the left seat of the Cessna 172 exited the airplane to notify restaurant staff of her arrival. As she walked toward the front of the airplane, the passenger stated she did not see the rotating propeller and "walked into it." In a statement taken by local police immediately following the accident, the pilot reported he asked the passenger to get out of the airplane and go into the restaurant to find out where the airplane could be parked. In a subsequent written statement provided to the Safety Board, the pilot stated the passenger exited the airplane without his knowledge, while he was shutting down the engine. The passenger was not available to answer subsequent questions regarding what, if any, briefing was given to the passenger by the pilot, pertaining to procedures for exiting the airplane. During an interview, the pilot stated that prior to the flight he had not briefed the passenger on procedures for exiting the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1242C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1242C-2011-10-28), registration cancelled 2011-10-28, S/N 172S10308, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (SP)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-L2A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-l2a) (registry code 41597, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S10308
- Airframe hours: 699
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brett Aviation
- Registered owner: 210 Centurion Group LCC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 28, 2008
- Departed: KMTN, Baltimore, MD
- Destination: KFDK, Frederick, MD
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: KFDK, Frederick Municipal Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 6, 2008; seat: right; flight hours: 300 total, 176 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night
- Wind: 20° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: FDK

## 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 20081106850819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081106850819A), Nov 6, 2008: Cessna 172S, Frederick, MD, No damage. Pilot and passenger had just arrived at fdk airport with plans to go to dinner. The passenger, seated in the left seat, exited the aircraft before the engine…

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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