Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's inadequate supervision of his deplaning passenger.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot-in-command stopped the airplane on the ramp and reduced the power to idle. The pilot was talking to a person out his left window when the front seat passenger deplaned from the right side door and walked into the propeller, severing her left hand.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 18, 1994, at 2045 central daylight time, a deplaning passenger of Cessna 182P, N6504M, sustained serious injuries near Boerne, Texas. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight. During a telephone interview the pilot reported the airplane was on the ramp area with the engine power at idle speed of 500 RPM's. The pilot was talking to another person, who had walked up to the airplane at his left side window, when the passenger, who was in the right front seat, deplaned. The passenger departed the ramp area toward the front of the airplane and her left hand was severed by the propeller. -