Primary finding
Probable cause
Both the pilot and passenger's failure to follow procedure/directives.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot-in-command stopped the airplane near a hangar to take care of the passenger's physiological need. The pilot briefed the passenger to stay clear of the propeller and to exit toward the rear of the airplane. While the pilot was unbuckling his parachute, he looked up and saw the passenger walk into the propeller.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 25, 1994, at 1400 central daylight time, a Cessna 180A, N3848D, passenger was fatally injured by a propeller strike near Roland, Arkansas. The airplane sustained minor damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local business flight. A telephone interview with the pilot revealed that the passenger had a physiological need. The pilot taxied the airplane to the hangar near the facility. He briefed the passenger to stay clear of the propeller and to exit toward the rear of the airplane. While the pilot was unbuckling his parachute, he looked up and saw the passenger walk into the propeller. -