# NTSB NYC84FNA03: Piper PA-28-181, N5399F, New Bedford, MA, September 1, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1984, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: New Bedford, MA
- Location: 41.6613° N, 70.9379° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Bedford, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6613&lon=-70.9379&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC84FNA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC84FNA03

## 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
  - mixture - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - checklist - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, passenger (cause)
  - judgment - poor, passenger (cause)

## Analysis

THE RT FRONT SEAT PASS'G EXITED THE ACFT VIA THE RT DOOR AND WENT FORWARD OVER THE LEADING EDGE OF THE WING WHILE THE ACFT ENGINE WAS IDLING AT APRX 1200 RPM. THE ROTATION PROP STRUCK AND INJURIED THE PASS'G WITH SERIOUS CHEST, BACK AND ARM LACERATIONS. THE PLT STATED THAT HE HAD STOPPED THE ACFT IN TRANSIENT PARKING AREA ANS WAS LOOKING FOR HIS CHECKLIST WHEN THE RT FRONT SEAT PASS'G ASKED HIM IF HE COULD OPEN THE RT DOOR SLIGHTLY TO GET SOME AIR. THE PLT SAID THAT HE APPROVED THE OPENING OF THE DOOR. ACCORDING TO THE PLTS STATEMENT THE PASS'G 'HOPPED UP AND EXITED THE ACFT' A FEW MOMENTS LATER, SAYING THAT HE WOULD BE RIGHT BACK. THE PASSG SHUT THE DOOR AFTER LEAVING AND JUMPED FOWARD INTO THE PROP. THE PLT GESTERED IN AN ATTEMPT TO WARN HIM BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE EFFECTIVE DUE TO NOISE & THE CLOSED DOOR. THE INJURED PASS'G IS EXPECTED TO RECOVER WITH NO PERMANENT DISABILITY. IN ADDITION TO LACERATIONS HE SUFFERED A PUNCTURED DIAPHRAM AND A COLLAPSED LEFT LUNG. HE SAID HE FELT PARTIALLY AT FAULT BUT ALSO FELT THAT THE PROP SHOULE HAVE BEEN STOPPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5399F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5399F), registered now, S/N 28-7790109 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (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: 287790109
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-360A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas Vogel
- Registered owner: Gail Lachmeyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 20, 1984, 51 hours before
- Departed: NEW BEDFORD, MA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,034 total, 35 in this make and model, 403 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 27 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840901045479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840901045479A), Sep 1, 1984: Piper PA28181, New Bedford, MA. Passenger exited cabin, jumped down off front of wing, was hit by propeller before pilot could stop him.

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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