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NTSB Report

June 28, 2021 · Flight Design Gmbh CTLS · N920SS

Ray, MI

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 28, 2021
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Ray, MI
Aircraft
Flight Design Gmbh CTLS (2010)
Tail Number
N920SS
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
CEN21LA295

The flight instructor was conducting the 16-year-old student pilot’s first instructional flight. After completing several takeoffs and landings, they “taxied around the airport multiple times,” during which they experienced “light to sometimes moderate” rain. At the conclusion of the lesson, the rain became heavy enough that visibility was reduced, and the instructor decided to taxi the airplane into its open hangar to avoid getting wet. As they approached the hangar, the instructor noted a set of wheel chocks on the ground, and with the engine still running, he instructed the student to exit the airplane, walk around the propeller arc, and move the chocks so that he, “could taxi the airplane nose-first into the hangar…then turn it around once inside and shut down.” He stated that he repeated the instructions to ensure that the student understood. The student subsequently exited the airplane and walked forward into the spinning propeller, resulting in serious injury. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor’s improper decision to direct the student pilot to exit the airplane with the engine running, which resulted in serious injury when the student walked into the propeller arc.

Full Narrative

The flight instructor was conducting the 16-year-old student pilot’s first instructional flight. After completing several takeoffs and landings, they “taxied around the airport multiple times,” during which they experienced “light to sometimes moderate” rain. At the conclusion of the lesson, the rain became heavy enough that visibility was reduced, and the instructor decided to taxi the airplane into its open hangar to avoid getting wet. As they approached the hangar, the instructor noted a set of wheel chocks on the ground, and with the engine still running, he instructed the student to exit the airplane, walk around the propeller arc, and move the chocks so that he, “could taxi the airplane nose-first into the hangar…then turn it around once inside and shut down.” He stated that he repeated the instructions to ensure that the student understood. The student subsequently exited the airplane and walked forward into the spinning propeller, resulting in serious injury. The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:30 EDT
Nearest AirportRay Community (1nm NNW)
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftFlight Design Gmbh CTLS
Tail NumberN920SS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Altimeter30.11 inHg
Observation Time18:56

Appendix: Source Data