Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow starting procedures and his inadequate preflight inspection by not removing the wheel chocks and the passenger not maintaining clearance from the propeller.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he had completed his preflight inspection, and returned to the office to pay his tie-down fees for the three days. On his return, he stated that he started the engine, contacted ground control for taxi instructions, but was unable to taxi as the nosewheel chock was still in place. His wife, a non-pilot, volunteered to remove the chock. He stated that she exited the airplane to the right and walked in front of the right wing where she tried to remove the chock from the right side of the nose gear aft of the propeller. She was struck by the propeller. The pilot stated that he heard and felt a slight thud in the vicinity of the propeller, so he shut the engine down and exited the airplane.
Source record
Factual narrative
On Sunday, September 26, 1993, at 1658 eastern daylight time, N8992P, a Piper PA-24-260, operated by L & L Aviation Inc. of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and piloted by Raymond Grvybowski of Clarksburg, Maryland, struck his passenger with the propeller at Niagara Falls International Airport, Niagara Falls, New York. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured; however, the passenger was fatally injured. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR 91 and the intended destination was Westminster, Maryland. According to the pilot, he had completed his preflight inspection, and returned to the office to pay his tie-down fees for the three days. On his return, he stated that he started the engine, and contacted ground control for clearance to taxi. He stated that the aircraft would not move forward and his wife, a non-pilot, volunteered to remove the nosewheel chock. The wife exited the airplane to the right, walked around the right wing and tried to remove the chocks from the right side of the nose gear aft of the propeller. She was struck by the propeller. The pilot stated that he heard and felt a slight thud in the vicinity of the propeller, so he shut the engine down and exited the airplane. -