Sad, I remember when a cute girl who worked ramp for Northwest in Memphis backed into a Saab340 prop as they were about to shut down in the early 2000's, I don't remember the exact year. Butt down still looked fine, Butt up was gone, and when I say gone, I mean GONE
I'm refraining from making a Blonde joke because it's tragic.
I will say though that there are a wide range of people. Some people assume aircraft are safe always and don't think about luggage falling from overhead bins or how to properly listen to the safety briefing. The pilot may have had any number of reasons for keeping the engine going or it could have been a ramper that opened the door too soon and she decided she wasn't waiting. No matter what, she was still the one to walk into that propeller. She could have kept a wider walking distance but on any aircraft the propeller is very close to the aircraft. If you're walking a few feet around you'll miss it.
I put people like this in the same category as those who run railroad gates, walk in front of stopping buses in the winter and walk across crossings when traffic is still doing 40mph across it. To use the phrase, you can't fix stupid.
ImaflightsimpilotandknowmorethanarealAIRLINERSpilot.net says the plane is a Husky.
Well I remember the CFI in florida walking into a prop last year and that was chocked up to carelessness. Irregardless of how the person is normally a moment can pass where all the senses just go out. As it's a husky that does make it quite a bit different as how did she go past the spar and still hit the prop. I'm thinking she probably tripped and fell forward after getting off on the wheel, but you would think she would fall below the prop, really close, but below it. It'll be an interesting accident report. I will go with the pilot not having the right mindset at that moment and allowing a passenger to leave the aircraft while the prop is still moving.
The error chain is always varied but a number of people at any time can stop that chain. I remember while working the ramp one night knowing the prop was there but being unable to see it. That's when a CSA walked out and almost into the prop to give me an extra bag. Had to run around the wing quick and stop her before she hit it. Talked to her later and her assumption was since she didn't see it but felt the wind that there was a jet somewhere else. Anyways, at least she and the pilot could have stopped that error. I do put the emphasis on her as it is her free will. It sucks that it happened, but she still made a step that caused her life to end.
As for my students, they are still learning. I've had a few students that I've had to brief on proper ramp operations with students walking in front of taxing aircraft, coming up to them with the prop still moving and smoking while fueling. Common sense isn't always there and if I had a student burn or blow themselves up while fueling and smoking I wouldn't feel too bad as well. Still tragic, but it's not the fuels fault for catching on fire. It's also not the props fault for doing it's job. I also don't want to argue all day about when the error chain should have stopped, that's more academic than I wish to go right now. It's a tragic situation and she still had a hand in it.
I remember that story and the CFI should have known better. PAX should not be expected to know better. Common sense should not really apply to people in a situation completely outside of their norm. What may seem like common sense to you or me may not even be something remotely considerable to a non initiate.Well I remember the CFI in florida walking into a prop last year and that was chocked up to carelessness.
According to RadarOnline, Lynn Lunsford, Mid-States Public Affairs Manager with the Federal Aviation Administration,said that an integral part of the investigation into exactly what happened is why the propeller was still moving when Scruggs got off the plane.'It appears that the pilot left the engine running at idle while she exited the plane to switch places with another passenger. That's one of the aspects of the investigation,' she told RadarOnline.
The pilot has not yet been identified but he is thought to have been a friend of Lauren's and recently purchased the plane.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2070258/Lauren-Scruggs-Gossip-Girl-stylist-hand-severed-face-slashed-plane-propeller.html
Makes me much more frustrated with the pilot, was there a ground crewmember used to assist the passengers? When you have a meat grinder and there are tours you have a railing or a fence about 2 feet back just to make sure of no accidents. It's impractical with an aircraft but aluminum or steel blades spinning at 500-800 rpm will certainly tear up just about anything. Pilot should have had a more through brief or really shouldn't have kept the engine running. Saves about what, $1.50 maybe? If they've been flying, I'm sure the starter has cooled, and if no starter and hand thrown then really should have been a ground crewmember.
Anyways, I'll shut up now and wait for the FAA.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[/LEFT]
That's rough. I don't know why people get so complacent when it comes to props. I've had line guys get right under the nose of the Pilatus to chock it while the prop is still slowing down, I think it's just crazy. Since I'm always the first person out of the airplane, I ALWAYS put myself between the stairs and the prop until it comes to a complete stop. I've had kids/dogs/adults run right out of the plane and immediately turn towards my direction, at which point I tell them to follow the wing and then go to the FBO to avoid the massive spinning prop that is still slowing down.
It's certainly not my intention to judge the pilot. I think prop awareness when on a ramp is the point that should be taken out of this as well. There are so many ways to not get hit by a spinning prop. Error Chain sort of deal is what this sounds like.Instead of judging the pilot we should all take a moment to try and increase awareness on the ramp. I had a lot of line crew running around the props on my king air. I always asked them nicely to stay away from the prop. Well it likely sounded like begging.
I always escort my pax on the ramp. They don't like it and try to evade me (!) but guess who will be loosing employment and be harshly judged on da interwebz? The pilot.
Really sad. Such a pretty girl too.
I'm not going to throw stones but sometimes we forget we're responsible for everything.
![]()
Really sad. Such a pretty girl too.
I'm not going to throw stones but sometimes we forget we're responsible for everything.
![]()
You've told a dog to follow the wing and then go to the FBO? Man, I wish I was rich so I could afford charter planes and talking dogs.