MIA96LA135

The flight returned from dropping parachutists, and the pilot left the engines running as the next load of parachutists loaded. A passenger, who had ridden on the previous flight, was instructed by the pilot to exit through the rear door and that ground personnel would direct her. The passenger exited the aircraft and was directed by ground personnel to the rear of the aircraft. The passenger started to the rear and then turned and walked toward the running left engine and propeller. Before ground personnel could stop her, she walked into the path of the left propeller.

On April 27, 1996, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a passenger walked into the propeller of N217NC, a Dehavilland DHC- 6 airplane, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 parachute flight by Raeford Aviation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan had been filed. The airplane was not damaged and the passenger was fatally injured. The flight had just landed when the accident occurred.

The pilot stated he had taken the passenger along for the first drop of parachutists. After landing he stopped at the ramp and left the engines running while the next load of parachutists were loaded. He instructed the passenger to exit through the rear door and told her the ground personnel would help her out. He then remained in the pilot's seat and did paper work. The passenger exited the airplane through the rear door and was instructed by ground personnel to walk to the rear of the airplane. She turned suddenly and walked forward and was struck by the left propeller.