Primary finding
Probable cause
The failure of the person removing the chock to maintain sufficient clearance from the propeller. A contributing factor was the total lack of experience by person on ground.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot in command was initiating a sight seeing ride, the passenger's father assisted in untying the tail of the airplane. After unchocking the left main tire, he turned to walk-away when his right arm was struck by the propeller.
Source record
Factual narrative
On March 18, 1994, about 0810 eastern standard time, a Luscombe 8A, N71891, registered to Horace Riggs, was involved in an accident while initiating a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured, and the ground attendant sustained a serious injury while removing the chock from the left side of the airplane. The pilot was preparing to taxi as the ground attendant untied the tail tie down rope and removed the left wheel chock. The attendant turned to walk away from the airplane and his right arm was struck by the propeller. -