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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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April 27, 1996 · De Havilland DHC-6 · N716NC

Raeford, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 27, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality), 4 uninjured
Location
Raeford, NC
Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-6
Tail Number
N716NC
Operator
Freefall Express
Injuries
Fatal
NTSB Number
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.

NTSB Probable Cause

failure of the passenger to follow the instructions of ground personnel as she exited the aircraft.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:35 EDT
Nearest AirportRaeford Airport (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftDe Havilland DHC-6
Tail NumberN716NC
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorFreefall Express
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsP&W · PT6-20 · Turboprop · 550
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality), 4 uninjured
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total5
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 5 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time19:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data