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September 1, 1984 · Piper PA-28-181 · N5399F

New Bedford, MA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 1, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Location
New Bedford, MA
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Tail Number
N5399F
Operator
Douglas Vogel
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
NYC84FNA03

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.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-181
Tail NumberN5399F
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorDouglas Vogel
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsAvco Lycoming · O-360A4M · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 2 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total3
Crew 1Age 22 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightNr
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data