# NTSB MIA01LA199: Cessna A188B, N8358G, Pelham, GA, July 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 28, 2001, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Pelham, GA - Coordinates: 31.121389, -84.126663 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1214&lon=-84.1267&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52868 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52868/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA199 ## Probable cause The ground refueler's inadequate visual lookout resulting in his walking into the rotating propeller of the airplane and receiving fatal injuries. ## 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 - visual lookout - inadequate, ground personnel (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated he had landed and turned around in the parking area to be refueled and loaded with chemical for aerial application. He kept the engine running. Another airplane landed after him, turned around, and parked about 15-20 feet in front of him. The ground refueler added fuel to the left wing tank of the first airplane and then proceeded to add fuel to the right wing tank of his airplane. After adding fuel, the ground refueler replaced the fuel cap and then turned to his right toward the airplane. As he walked forward he was struck by the propeller. Postmortem toxicology tests on specimens from the refueler were negative for ethanol and drugs. The pilot stated the ground refueler had worked at the company for about 4 days, and had received training in ground operations and safety. ## Factual narrative On July 28, 2001, about 0940 eastern daylight time, a Cessna A188B, N8358G, registered to an individual, had a ground refueler walk into the propeller while the airplane was standing with the engine operating, at Pelham, Georgia, while on a 14 CFR Part 137 aerial application flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was not damaged and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The ground refueler received fatal injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he had landed and turned around in the parking area to be refueled and loaded with chemical for aerial application. He kept the engine running. Another airplane landed after him, turned around, and parked about 15-20 feet in front of him. The ground refueler added fuel to the left wing tank of the first airplane and then proceeded to add fuel to the right wing tank of his airplane. After adding fuel, the ground refueler replaced the fuel cap and then turned to his right toward the airplane. As he walked forward he was struck by the propeller. The pilot stated he observed the refueler going toward the propeller and attempted to shut down the engine prior to his being struck by the propeller, but could not get the engine shut down in time. The pilot stated the ground refueler had worked at the company for about 4 days, and had received training in ground operations and safety. Postmortem examination of the refueler was performed Dr. A. Clark, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Moultrie, Georgia, and James Jamerson, Mitchell County Coroner, Pelham, Georgia. The cause of death was attributed to multiple chop injuries by an airplane propeller to the head and torso. Postmortem toxicology tests were performed on specimens obtained from the refueler by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The tests were negative for ethanol and drugs. (See Toxicology Reports.) The NTSB sent via fax machine an NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report form to the pilot. The pilot confirmed receipt of the report form. The NTSB did not receive a completed NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report from the pilot or operator. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8358G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8358G-2009-05-27), registration cancelled 2009-05-27, S/N 18801299T, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna A188B - Registry model: [Cessna A188B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a188b) (registry code 2073005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18801299T - Engines: Teledyne Cont IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Gifford Flynt, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: Pelham, GA - Airport: Flynt Crop Dusting Service ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,000 total, 100 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: VLD, 50 nm away ## 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 20010728025889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010728025889A), Jul 28, 2001: Cessna A188B, Thomasville, GA, No damage. (-23) Victim was grn crew refueler/tanker after fueling right wing tank, put cap on turned right and walked directly into rotating propeller. Aircraft was in… ## Other investigations on N8358G (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 FTW79DPJ21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW79DPJ21), May 26, 1979: Cessna A188B (N8358G), Cushing, OK, substantial damage 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.