# NTSB LAX03LA280: Piper PA-28-161, N9141Y, Sacramento, CA, September 7, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 2003, 23:45 local (Sep 7, 2003, 06:45 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, CA - Coordinates: 38.5, -121.483329 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5000&lon=-121.4833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57884 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57884/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA280 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and the bystander's failure to maintain clearance with the rotating 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 - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, other person (cause) ## Analysis After starting the engine for a late night flight, the pilot advanced the throttle to move the airplane forward when he felt something stop the airplane. He asked a friend, standing outside near the airplane, to check if it was stuck on anything. She replied negatively and when she turned to walk away, the propeller struck and severed her right arm. The following morning airport personnel observed that the left wing and tail were not secured by their respective tie down chains; however, the right wing tie down chain was secured to the right wing. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2003, at 2345 Pacific daylight time, the propeller of a Piper PA-28-161, N9141Y, which was standing in the tie down area with engine running, partially severed a bystander's arm at Sacramento Executive Airport (SAC), Sacramento, California. The private pilot operated the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. There was no damage to the airplane. The private pilot, who was in the airplane at the time, was not injured, and his friend, who was cut by the propeller, sustained serious injuries. The flight was preparing to depart SAC for Hayward Executive Airport (HWD), Hayward, California. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. There were no witnesses to the accident; however, a corporate flight crew was conducting a preflight near the airplane. The Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) interviewed the captain. He stated that the first officer had observed the pilot and passenger walking to their airplane. The flight crew then went about their business. The captain indicated that the auxiliary power unit (APU) was running at the time. He heard someone yell, and then heard a second yell. When he turned to look he saw the pilot and passenger walking towards the security office. He stated that something wasn't right with the passenger so he went over to check on them. The captain provided first aid assistance until the emergency medical service crew arrived. The captain further indicated that neither he nor the first officer touched the airplane during or after the incident. In the pilot's statement to the Safety Board he indicated that he asked the friend to bring some merchandise to the airplane. The pilot then told his friend that he was going to start the engine and to stay clear of the airplane. He started the airplane, and when he advanced the throttle to move forward he felt something sticking underneath the airplane. He asked his friend to come to the window so he could ask her to check and see if the airplane was stuck on anything. The friend replied that there was nothing stuck underneath airplane. She then turned to walk away from the airplane, and the propeller struck her right arm. He shut down the engine and then yelled for help, while attending to his injured friend. According to airport personnel, the day after the incident, it was noted that the right wing was secured with a tie down chain. The left wing and tail tie downs were not secured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9141Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9141Y-2008-07-10), registration cancelled 2008-07-10, S/N 28-8616014, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-8616014 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Flying Vikings Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 30, 2003, 65 hours before - Departed: SAC, Sacramento, CA - Destination: HWD, Hayward, CA - Airport: SAC, Sacramento Executive ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 28, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 295 total, 234 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 200° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: SAC ## 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 20030906022789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030906022789A), Sep 6, 2003: Piper PA28161, Sacramento, CA. (-23) The pilot started the engine and began to taxi when he felt the landing gear roll onto an object. The plane stopped. The pilot waved his girlfriend into… ## Other investigations on N9141Y (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX07FA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07FA060), Dec 21, 2006: Piper PA-28-161 (N9141Y), Big Pine, CA, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The inadequate in-flight/planning decision of both pilots to fly up a box canyon at low altitude, and their failure to maintain clearance from the terrain. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.