# NTSB SEA94LA105: Cessna 152, N159BC, Auburn, WA, April 20, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1994, 15:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, WA
- Coordinates: 47.309001, -122.220069 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3090&lon=-122.2201&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 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41913
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41913/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA105

## Probable cause

CLEARANCE WAS NOT MAINTAINED BY AN OTHER PERSON. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES WERE INADEQUATE.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, other person (cause)
  - procedures/directives - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS STANDING ON THE RAMP WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AN INDIVIDUAL APPROACHED THE AIRPLANE ON THE RIGHT SIDE TO DELIVER A LETTER TO THE PILOT. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE CONVERSATION, THE INDIVIDUAL CLOSED THE DOOR AND WALKED UNDER THE RIGHT WING STRUT AND FORWARD. THE INDIVIDUAL DID NOT MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE FROM THE PROPELLER AND WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT ARM AND SHOULDER.

## Factual narrative

On April 20, 1994, at 1550 Pacific daylight time, an individual was struck by the propeller of a Cessna 152, N159BC, that was standing on the ramp at the Auburn Airport, Auburn, Washington.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was not damaged and the commercial pilot was not injured.  The individual sustained serious injuries to her left arm and shoulder.

The pilot reported that this individual met him at the airport to deliver a letter to him.  The individual approached the airplane from the right side and opened the door.  At the conclusion of their conversation, the pilot instructed the individual to walk straight out to the wing tip and remain clear of the propeller.  The individual instead, walked out around the right wing strut, then forward and was struck by the moving propeller.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N159BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N159BC-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 15280737, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15280737
- Airframe hours: 5901
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Crest Airpark
- Registered owner: Grier, Norman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1994
- Departed: S36, KENT, WA
- Airport: S50, Auburn

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,565 total, 34 in this make and model, 1,245 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 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 19940420009379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940420009379A), Apr 20, 1994: Cessna 152, Auburn, WA. Engine idled. Person came up to deliver letter. Then told to walk to end of wing but walked around strut into prop.

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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