# NTSB MIA94LA009: Grumman American AA-5B, N28930, Fort Myers, FL, October 17, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 17, 1993, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Fort Myers, FL
- Location: 26.7337° N, 81.9002° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at PINE SHADOWS AIRPARK (94FL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7337&lon=-81.9002&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 20, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37448
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37448/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA009

## Probable cause

IMPROPER DECISION BY THE OTHER PERSON (PILOT'S MOTHER) TO GO TO THE AIRPLANE, WHILE THE PILOT WAS MAKING CHECKS IN PREPARATION FOR FLIGHT, AND HER FAILURE TO IDENTIFY THE HAZARDOUS CONDITION (TURNING 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
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command
  - diverted attention, pilot in command
  - planning/decision - improper, other person (cause)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not identified, other person (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS RUNNING UP THE ENGINE IN PREPARATION FOR A FLIGHT AND HAD HIS VISION CONCENTRATED ON THE ENGINE INSTRUMENTS.  DURING THAT TIME, HIS MOTHER WALKED TO THE AIRPLANE AND WAS STRUCK BY THE PROPELLER.

## Factual narrative

On October 17, 1993, about 1645 eastern daylight time, N28930,registered to Kurt B. Waller was involved with a propeller strike on the ground at Pine Shadow Airpark, Fort Myers, Florida, while attempting a 14 CFR 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the intended local flight. The airplane received minor damage, one person on the ground received serious injuries, and the pilot and other two passengers reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time.

The pilot stated to local law enforcement officials that during runup before the flight, the pilot's mother walked toward the airplane after the engine was started to give a passenger some food and was struck by the propeller, severing her arm. The pilot did not see her until after she was struck because he was watching instruments during the runup.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28930](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28930), registered now, S/N AA5B0896, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AMERICAN AA-5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0896
- Airframe hours: 796
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Waller, Kurt B.
- Registered owner: Waller, Kurt B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1993, 67 hours before
- Departed: 94FL
- Destination: 94FL
- Airport: 94FL, Pine Shadows

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 285 total, 91 in this make and model, 244 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY, 12 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 19931017039749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931017039749A), Oct 17, 1993: Gulstm AA5B, Fort Myers, FL, Minor damage. During runup on ramp pilots mother was hit by the whirling propeller as she approached aircraft unseen by pilot.

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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