Woman Backs Into Propeller, Kansas, fatal, 10/27

I read that in the morning KC news. That's a bad deal.

Always remember to keep your head on a swivel.
 
Dave Bahnson has reported here over the years that he studied something like 280 human into propeller accidents, and in 2/3 of the cases, the human walked into the propeller of a stationary airplane. I really try to minimize the time that I am parked with the engine turning on the ramp. Contact is almost always fatal. Condolences to her family...
 
www.theguardian.com

Photographer killed after accidentally walking into plane propeller in Kansas

Amanda Gallagher was taking pictures of skydivers when she inadvertently stepped back into a spinning propeller
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

krcgtv.com

Skydiving photographer dies in Kansas propeller accident, authorities say

A woman from Kansas was killed during the weekend after she backed into an airplane's active propeller while taking photographs.
krcgtv.com krcgtv.com

Welp, another non-pilot propellor tragedy.

I'm not sure what good blaming the dead photographer will do ... but I assume someone was in the front seat minding the plane??


A photographer was killed after inadvertently walking into a spinning airplane propeller while taking pictures in Kansas.​
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Amanda Gallagher, 37, was on a work assignment on Saturday capturing pictures of skydivers getting on and off planes in the town of Derby – less than 15 miles from Wichita – when she stepped back into the propeller of a plane that was stationary yet still running.​
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The Air Capital Drop Zone, the skydiving center that operated the plane involved in the photographer’s death, said Gallagher violated “basic safety procedures”. “For unknown reasons … she moved in front of the wing” of the plane, aiming her camera upward to shoot photos, the statement said.​

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Certainly sounds like she is being blamed. Shut the engine off. I suppose some pilots just dread starting a hot engine.
 
I think I understand how this played out. She was facing backwards, under the wing. She backed up and then turned toward the prop to get a shot over the front of the wing. Backed/sidestepped into the rear of the prop from the area of the cowl.

I've dropped off pax with the engine running. In a low wing, if anyone walks around the wing tip, I shut down instantly. I also won't let the FBO line guy marshal the plane from in front. Sad deal, and fault all around I guess.
 
Barrett50 said:
I think I understand how this played out. She was facing backwards, under the wing. She backed up and then turned toward the prop to get a shot over the front of the wing. Backed/sidestepped into the rear of the prop from the area of the cowl.

I've dropped off pax with the engine running. In a low wing, if anyone walks around the wing tip, I shut down instantly. I also won't let the FBO line guy marshal the plane from in front. Sad deal, and fault all around I guess.
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I will shut down if anybody gets within 25' of the prop
 
I’m at a loss for how to prevent these sorts of things other than total abstinence… ie just shut the motor down before a door moves.

thought I saw a pic of her with a rig on… this places the accident squarely on distraction likely. She KNOWS her way around a plane.

The thing about putting it on the pilot, it cures lots of victim ailments… distraction, ignorance, complacency, tripping, you name it.

I do precious few of these events, I should prolly adopt the 25’ rule.
 
I’m taking away a few things from this one…….

In no particular order:

My wife of nearly 30 years has been my constant companion in aviation. Our 2nd date in 1995 involved a Cutlass from CPS to ALN and back. She’s smarter than the average bear. But I’m not taking her familiarity with aviation for granted when it comes to prop-strike risk.

I’m happy I fly a PA-32T with the rear-pax door. By its nature it keeps people behind the grinder.

I’m happy that I’ve sharpened up my preflight pax briefing. In short, I advise pax to remain in the cabin until either my wife or I come to get them out of the plane. I take a momentary uncharacteristically stone-serious tone when I point to the sharp of the plane, and let them know that I don’t want them anywhere near that.

If I have people unfamiliar with aviation - like the recent flight I just did with family of my friend (four people, all unfamiliar with GA)- it’s time to be 150% on-guard.
 
Terrible! I try to never say never, but I have yet have people milling around my aircraft with the prop turning...
 
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