# NTSB FTW95LA272: Piper PA-18-95, N5424H, Rio Hondo, TX, June 24, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1995, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC)
- Place: Rio Hondo, TX
- Coordinates: 26.230497, -97.579307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.2305&lon=-97.5793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19477
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA272
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19477/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA272

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE A NON-PASSENGER RESULTING IN THE INDIVIDUAL BEING STRUCK BY 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 - engine(s) operating
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO WARMUP THE PILOT REQUESTED AN INDIVIDUAL STANDING ALONG SIDE THE AIRCRAFT TO GO TO THE OFFICE AND RETRIEVE HIS SODA. THE INDIVIDUAL ACKNOWLEDGED THE REQUEST AND WALKED INTO THE TURNING PROPELLER, SUSTAINING SERIOUS INJURIES.

## Factual narrative

On June 24, 1995, at 1000 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18- 90, N5424H, was undamaged while standing with the engine running near Rio Hondo, Texas.  The private pilot nor his passenger were injured; however, a bystander on the ground sustained serious injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight.  The aircraft was owned by Texas Dusting Services, Rio Hondo, Texas, under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the operator, the pilot hand-propped the engine and was seated in the cockpit waiting for the engine to warm-up prior to taxiing for takeoff for a local flight.  The operator added that the pilot asked an employee, who was standing near the midspan of the leading edge of the right wing, to go into the office and retrieve his can of soda.  The bystander acknowledge the pilot's request, then proceeded on a course that took her into the path of the turning propeller.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5424H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5424H), registered now, S/N 18-15 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18-95
- Registry model: [Piper PA-18](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18) (registry code 7101802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18-15
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Houston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: XS63
- Airport: XS63, Texas Dusting Services, runway 17, 1,800 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 313 total, 63 in this make and model, 251 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 135° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19950624016089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950624016089A), Jun 24, 1995: Piper PA18, Rio Hondo, TX. Warming engine asked person standing outside to retreive his soda from office. Person walked into turning 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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