NTSB investigations
182 cases where the first occurrence was “Propeller/rotor contact to person”.
Cases, newest first
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c.\"mKey\" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o.\"occurrenceNumber\" = 1 AND o.\"occurrenceCode\" = 370) ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT o.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_occurrences.parquet' o WHERE o."occurrenceNumber" = 1 AND o."occurrenceCode" = 370) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB FTW89DRD10Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportGrumman G-164-B · Mer Rouge, LAThe failure of the individual struck by the taxiing airplane's propeller to visually perceive and avoid the airplane.NTSB LAX89LA127Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 269A · Malibu, CAThe failure of the passenger to follow briefed procedures and the failure of ground personnel to provide adequate assistance.NTSB BFO89LA018Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172I · Fort Washington, MDThe passenger failed to maintain adequate clearance from the propeller as she attempted to board the aircraft. Both the pilot failure to supervise the boarding of the passenger and the night light conditions are contributing factors to the accident.NTSB NYC89LA008Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportAmerican AA-5B · Wrightstown, NJThe plt said that the battery ran low while he was attempting to start his acft. He said he hand-propped the eng for several minutes and when he became fatigued, the passenger, who is also a pilot, began to hand prop the eng. When the passenger turned the…NTSB NYC88LA212Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 152 · Swanton, VTThe plt took the passenger (his wife) on a short flt, which was her 1st flt. She was described as apprehensive. Before going back to the parking area after landing, the plt taxied to the terminal bldg for his wife to deplane. He stopped the acft with the left…NTSB DEN88LA116Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna TR-182RG · Englewood, COThe CFI, a private rated dual student, and one passenger were preparing to depart on a training flight. The CFI attempted to hand prop the airplane when the battery was found to be inoperative. During the attempt, the CFI was struck in the back of the head.NTSB FTW88LA082Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportSikorsky S-76A · Offshore OilAfter landing on the platform, the copilot moved the power levers to flight idle and set the main rotor blade tip path plane to the height normally used. When an enplanning passenger came up the stairs onto the platform, he was struck on the head by the main…NTSB NYC88LA065Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206 · Holmdel, NJThe pilot had just landed the helicopter from a speed survey of garden state parkway and was in idle. The passenger/police officer deplaned and walked to the rear of the aircraft and was struck by the tail rotor blade receiving serious injuries.NTSB CHI88LA042Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172K · Converse, INThe plt had flown one closed circuit pattern of the local arpt and landed to pick up two additional passengers. Purpose of the local flight was for sightseeing. The acft was parked with engine at idle. One boarding passenger approached the acft from the left…NTSB DEN88LA034Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 177RG · Great Falls, MTThe private plt was preparing for departure on an IFR flight plan. After finding that the starter would not operate properly, the plt tried to manually repositon the propeller. The ignition was still on and the engine fired. The propeller struck the plt's…NTSB NYC88LA056Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-201 · Beaver Falls, PADuring hand-propping of Piper PA-28R, the passenger slipped and fell into the turning prop. He received a serious head injury.NTSB MIA87LA265Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCASA 212-200 · San Juan, PRThe co-plt was helping the passengers de-plane while the plt remained in the acft with the engines winding down after shutdown. The plt stated that he observed a commotion outside the acft and shortly thereafter exited it. He then realized that an individual,…NTSB CHI87FA185Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 120 · Oshkosh, WIThe plt was taxiing out of the antique/classic camping area at Oshkosh with the assistance of wing walkers when he stopped to permit the pax (his wife) to perform an errand. The pax deplaned & went under the outer 1/3 of the wing strut, then walked back into…NTSB ATL87LA143Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech B100 · Birmingham, ALThe lineman walked into the prop arc of the operating rt engine and was fatally injured after disconnecting a ground power unit (gpu) cable from the rt engine nacelle. The lineman initially approached the nacelle from the rear, but walked forward into the…NTSB LAX87LA111Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna T210L · El Cajon, CAThe plt indicated that he and his wife were planning to fly together, but at the last minute his wife changed her mind. She exited the acft and departed the area to the rear of the plane. The plt was taxiing from his parking spot when his wife suddenly…NTSB CHI87DEE04Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 172 · Plainfield, ILWhile taxiing for takeoff, the aircraft became stuck in a snowbank. The pilot and passenger got out of the aircraft to free it. The passenger walked into the propeller of the running engine and received fatal injuries.NTSB CHI87DER02Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 150M · Lakeville, MNThe student & instructor (CFI) were preflighting the acft to fly on a cold morning. To facilitate better eng starting, the CFI elected to turn the prop while the student 'pushed the primer in.' He told the student to check that the mag & master sws were off &…NTSB SEA87LA030Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 180J · Juneau, AKThe passenger deplaned while the plt shut down the aircrafts engine. Although the plt noticed that the passenger was near the wing strut and attempted to yell at him, the passenger inadvertently walked into the wind milling propeller which struck him in the…NTSB CHI87LA033Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182F · Sandwich, ILThe pilot was attempting to hand prop the aircraft due to a low battery. The engine started and the plane began moving. The aircraft struck the pilot and then traveled into a hangar door.NTSB FTW87LA015Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHouk Pitts S1-S · La Porte, TXA mechanic was attempting to pull the prop through one revolution prior to starting the engine on a pitts S1-S. Due to a bad p-lead on the magneto's the engine fired, causing the prop to strike the right leg of the mechanic. The mechanics leg was amputated…NTSB NYC87LA010Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportLockheed L188A · Boston, MADuring engine start number 4 engine was started. The signal was given to the ground crewman to disconnect the air start unit. The engineer thought he heard 'start number 3'. Engine number 4 was shifted up, it stabilized, and engine number 3 was started. After…NTSB SEA86LA176Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBell 47G-3B1 · Burbank, WAThe helicopter had landed for reloading and was stationary with rotors idling. A ground loader person approached the helicopter over a small sandy knoll and was struck by the main rotor, sustaining fatal injury.NTSB ATL86FEI07Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportBell 47G2 · Lisbon, OHThe aerial application helicopter was being serviced by a chemical truck that was parked adjacent to the acft. The acft engine was at high idle with the main rotor turning at 250 RPM. The ground crewman jumped off the side of the chemical truck into the main…NTSB ATL86LMG07Incident · No injuriesFinal reportBell UH-1B · Wrightsville, NCThe plt reported that he was about to descend from a high hover to land in an open field adjacent to a hotel parking lot when the tips of both main rotor blades contacted a light pole. The plt maneuvered away from the pole and landed in the open field.…NTSB CHI86FA129Accident · Minor injuriesField investigationFinal reportBell 222B · Chicago, ILThe aircraft had just discharged two passengers on the rooftop helipad and was preparing for departure. The aircraft was picked up to a hover and the tailrotor struck a heliport surface perimeter light. The tailrotor separated from the aircraft and the…NTSB FTW86LRA10Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 150L · Houston, TXThe acft failed to start so the CFI got out to turn the prop. The mag switch was left on and the eng fired as the CFI moved the prop blade. The CFI was struck by the blade and serously injured.NTSB NYC86LA058Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28R-200 · Boston, MAThe pilot was attempting to start the aircraft for a cross country flight. The weather was cold. Initially. The pilot stated the engine started but stopped. The pilot pulled key from ignition, pulled back throttle and closed the mixture before exiting the…NTSB MKC86FA036Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna T210M · Kansas City, MOThe plt was seen to enter the acft for a short time and then get out, go to the front of the acft and pull down on the prop. The eng fired and the prop struck the pilot's head. A plt who approached the acft moments after the acdt looked into the cockpit and…NTSB CHI86FEM03Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportRobinson R22A · Grand Rapids, MIThe plt reported he flew into the wolverine power plant for the purpose of picking up a passenger to whom he was to demonstrate the helicopter's ability to survey power lines. He continued to report, shortly after landing during normal engine shut down…NTSB FTW85LA313Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Follett, TXThe passenger had deplaned to remove unnecessary articles from the aircraft and apparently was not cautioned by the PIC to be careful of the rotating propeller. As she returned to the aircraft to re-board she walked into the observed rotating propeller and…NTSB MKC85FA175Accident · Serious injuriesField investigationFinal reportCessna 150L · Lee'S Summit, MOThe plt discharged one passenger without stopping the eng & motioned to the next passenger (his wife) to come around from the front of the airplane. Subsequently, his wife walked into the propeller & received a serious injury to her arm.NTSB NYC85LA154Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMcCulloch J-2 · Cortland, NYAccording to the pilot, the rotor blade contacted the tail rudders because of insufficient rotor speed. The rotor bladeswere thrown out of track and the gyroplane lost control. The insufficient rotor RPM was due to a rotor or pulley belt stripping.NTSB CHI85FEX01Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 404 · Indianapolis, INThe right prop struck a person who was loading freight onto the acft. The plt reported that he had started the right eng to bring it up to operating temp to deforst the windscreen. He stated the eng had been running for aprx 3 minutes when he felt something…NTSB LAX85LA183Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportMooney M20C · Apple Valley, CAUpon landing & taxiing off the rwy the ATP certificated plt was unable to locate the desired acft hangar in which the acft was to be parked. The plt & his 15-year-OLD pax observed a bystander near their acft. The plt directed the pax to exit the acft & ask…NTSB BFO85LA022Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182 · Waynesboro, VAThe student plt taxied the acft to the run-up area and stopped with the engine running. The passenger, a rated helicopter pilot, exited the airplane to retrieve a portable communications radio. According to the student, the passenger ducked under the wing…NTSB SEA85LA052Incident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 337B · Ontario, ORPilots sister approched the rt side of the acft to speak to him. When leaving the side of the acft she walked into the front turning prop. Plt stated she had been around the acft numerous times and was aware of the engine configuration.NTSB NYC85FA052Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 500D · Newark, NJThe right front seat passenger deplaned and walked rearward to retreive his luggage from the left rear seat of the helicopter during the cooling down stage of the engine shutdown. After deplanning he proceeded rearward under the main rotor wash. When rear of…NTSB LAX85FA091Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBell 47G3B · San Diego, CAThe helicopter landed on the morred tuna boat. After toudhdown the helicopter appeared to be repositioning itself when the main rotor blades contacted the boom portion of a crane which was being utilized to load bags of salt aboard the boat.NTSB CHI85LA056Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-32RT-300T · Chambers Island, WIThe plt reported that during takeoff upon reaching an alt of 8-10 ft AGL a down draft was encountered and the acft contacted the rwy on the rt landing gear which was in the transient position. He reported he was able to remain airborne but the rate of climb…NTSB CHI85LA047Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRockwell 114 · Strongville, OHPlt was aware runway had a pronounced dip just prior to rotation area of his acft. Passing the dip on takeoff roll, he felt a 'shimmy' which he attributed to nose gear reaction to the dip. Plt considered aborting takeoff, but felt insufficient runway…NTSB ATL85LA031Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportHughes 369HS · Hogansville, GAA deplaning passenger walked into the rotating tail rotor. The passenger had been walked away from the acft by the plts brother but she returned on her own and was struck by the tail rotor.NTSB MIA85LA013Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-161 · West Palm Beach, FLThe plt stated that while standing on the ramp with the eng running in preparation for flt, they were having difficulty closing the acft door. A passenger got out to look for help but once out of the acft walked along the rt wing leading edge up to the eng…NTSB NYC84FNA03Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportPiper PA-28-181 · New Bedford, MAThe 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…NTSB NYC84LA276Incident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 310II · Newark, NJAn unemployed person was trying to help load an acft. In noticing that a bill of laden had been left off the cargo he ran toward the acft which had, by this time, started engines. The plt said he saw the running man and shoved the mixtures to cut off the…NTSB MIA84LA195Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportBell 206L-1 · Loiza, PRThe plt had just landed at a shore site & the acft was parked with engine running when an unauthorized person walked into the tail rotor. The crew & passengers were still aboard the acft at the time of the accident.NTSB NYC84FHD04Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportMooney M20 · Atlantic City, NJThe flt to Atlantic-city-bader field was uneventful, except the acft touched down hard during the landing. The plt taxied to the terminal & parked with the exit door facing the terminal. He elected not to shut down the eng since he intended to immediately…NTSB FTW84LA259Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportRobinson R22 · Andrews, TXThe pilot stated that the helicopter was operating at 55 percent power on the gnd while awaiting the pax to board. The passenger walked into the tailrotor and received serious injuries. The plt stated that the company does not have safety procedures for…NTSB ATL84LA170Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Nashville, TNThe plt reported that after he & his passengers were aboard the acft, the eng was running & ground control had cleared him to taxi when he discovered that the left main wheel was still chocked, preventing forward movement of the acft. He was setting his…NTSB LAX84LA222Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal reportVari EZE · Rancho, CAThe acft made a forced landing and collided with a ditch after propeller failure during climb after takeoff. The plt hadmade his propeller of fiberglass instead of recommended wood. This was the first flt with this propeller.NTSB NYC84FHM06Accident · Serious injuriesFinal reportCessna 210N · Millbrook, NYPlt was injured while hand propping the acft.