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November 7, 2008 · Cessna 172 SP · N1242C

Frederick, MD

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 7, 2008
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Frederick, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 172 SP
Tail Number
N1242C
Operator
Brett Aviation
Injuries
Serious
NTSB Number
ERA09CA041

After landing at the airport, the passenger seated in the left seat of the Cessna 172 exited the airplane to notify restaurant staff of her arrival. As she walked toward the front of the airplane, the passenger stated she did not see the rotating propeller and "walked into it." In a statement taken by local police immediately following the accident, the pilot reported he asked the passenger to get out of the airplane and go into the restaurant to find out where the airplane could be parked. In a subsequent written statement provided to the Safety Board, the pilot stated the passenger exited the airplane without his knowledge, while he was shutting down the engine. The passenger was not available to answer subsequent questions regarding what, if any, briefing was given to the passenger by the pilot, pertaining to procedures for exiting the airplane. During an interview, the pilot stated that prior to the flight he had not briefed the passenger on procedures for exiting the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The passenger’s failure to avoid the rotating propeller after exiting the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to include deplaning procedures as part of the passenger safety briefing.

Full Narrative

After landing at the airport, the passenger seated in the left seat of the Cessna 172 exited the airplane to notify restaurant staff of her arrival. As she walked toward the front of the airplane, the passenger stated she did not see the rotating propeller and "walked into it." In a statement taken by local police immediately following the accident, the pilot reported he asked the passenger to get out of the airplane and go into the restaurant to find out where the airplane could be parked. In a subsequent written statement provided to the Safety Board, the pilot stated the passenger exited the airplane without his knowledge, while he was shutting down the engine. The passenger was not available to answer subsequent questions regarding what, if any, briefing was given to the passenger by the pilot, pertaining to procedures for exiting the airplane. During an interview, the pilot stated that prior to the flight he had not briefed the passenger on procedures for exiting the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:06 EST
Nearest AirportFrederick Municipal Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172 SP
Tail NumberN1242C
Aircraft CategoryAir
OperatorBrett Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-L2A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 20 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightNight
Wind20° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 6500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 57
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Observation Time23:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data