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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

March 10, 1995 · Cessna 172L · N4383Q

Smyrna, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 10, 1995
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Smyrna, TN
Aircraft
Cessna 172L
Tail Number
N4383Q
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
ATL95LA063

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR WAS 'HAND PROPPING' THE ENGINE DUE TO AN INOPERATIVE STARTER SOLENOID. HIS STUDENT WAS IN THE LEFT COCKPIT SEAT, WORKING THE ENGINE CONTROLS. THE FIRST START ATTEMPT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE INSTRUCTOR POSITIONED THE PROP FOR THE SECOND ATTEMPT, AND THE ENGINE FIRED. NO HAND SIGNALS WERE GIVEN PRIOR TO THE SECOND START ATTEMPT. THE PROPELLER CONTACTED THE INSTRUCTOR'S ARM AND LEG, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES. THE INSTRUCTOR BELIEVES THAT THE STUDENT DID NOT RETURN THE IGNITION SWITCH TO THE OFF POSITION AFTER THE FIRST START ATTEMPT, CONTRARY TO WHAT WAS BRIEFED.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE MAGNETOS WERE NOT ENERGIZED PRIOR TO POSITIONING THE PROPELLER, AND THE DUAL STUDENT'S FAILURE TO PLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH IN THE OFF POSITION AFTER THE FIRST START ATTEMPT.

Full Narrative

On March 10, 1995, at 1020 central standard time, the flight instructor of a Cessna 172L, N4383Q, was seriously injured when he was struck by the propeller during ground start at Smyrna, Tennessee. A dual student pilot, who was in the left, front seat, was not injured. The aircraft was not damaged. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by Geoffrey C. Boshier, of Greenbrier, Tennessee. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, instructional flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The flight instructor reported that he was "hand propping" the engine due to an inoperative starter solenoid. He covered the procedures for hand starting the engine, including hand signals for communication, and the dual student worked the cockpit controls. The first start attempt was unsuccessful. While positioning the propeller for the second start attempt, the flight instructor slightly moved the propeller without any hand signals being given, and the engine fired. The propeller struck him, breaking his right arm, and injuring his right leg. The flight instructor believed that the ignition switch was not returned to the "off" position after the first start attempt.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 CST
Nearest AirportSmyrna Airport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172L
Tail NumberN4383Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 32 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:20
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data