# NTSB FTW83LA177: de Havilland DHC-6, N927BA, Mckinney, TX, April 3, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 2, 1983, 19:10 local (Apr 3, 1983, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Mckinney, TX
- Coordinates: 33.179061, -96.590065 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1791&lon=-96.5901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 20854
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW83LA177
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20854/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW83LA177

## 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
  - instructions,written/verbal - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - interpretation of instructions - not understood, passenger (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - performed, passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THREE OBSERVERS ACCOMPANIED THE AIRCREW & OTHER PASSENGERS ON A FLT TO TRANSPORT SKYDIVERS ALOFT. PRIOR TO THE FLT, ALL 3 OF THE OBSERVERS WERE BRIEFED NOT TO EXIT THE ACFT UNTIL THE ENGINES WERE SECURED. HOWEVER, 1 OF THE 3 DISCUSSED THE NEED TO MOVE A CESSNA 172 AT THE COMPLETION OF THE FLT. AFTER RETURNING FROM THE FLT, THE AIRCREW STOPPED THE PLANE ON THE RAMP. WHILE THE ENGINES WERE STILL RUNNING, THE OCCUPANT THAT WANTED TO MOVE THE CESSNA EXITED THE ACFT. UNBEKNOWN TO HIM & THE PLT, THE OTHER 2 OCCUPANTS ALSO EXITED THE ACFT. ONE OF THEM WALKED INTO THE ARC OF THE LEFT PROPELLER & RECEIVED A FATAL HEAD INJURY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N927BA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N927BA-1989-07-11), registration cancelled 1989-07-11, S/N 50 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DHC-6
- Registry model: [Dehavilland DHC-6 TWIN OTTER](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-dhc-6-twin-otter) (registry code 2802606) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 50
- Airframe hours: 24000
- Engines: P&W PT6-A-20 550 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Skydiving, Part 91
- Operator: David Boatman
- Registered owner: Boatman Airlift, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1982
- Airport: TX05, Aero Country

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, 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: 15,581 total, 3,220 in this make and model, 15,500 as pilot in command, 253 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 330° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °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 19830403065119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830403065119A), Apr 3, 1983: Dhav DHC6TWNOTTER, Mckinney, TX, 1 fatal. Passenger exited aircraft to assist in moving a parked aircraft. Was struck in the head by prop in flight idle.

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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