Cessna R172K accident near Richmond, VA
On March 15, 2003, a Cessna R172K (airplane) was involved in an accident near Richmond, VA. 1 person died.
- Date
- March 15, 2003
- Place
- Richmond, VA
- Aircraft
- Cessna R172K · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- —
- Position
- 37.505°N, 77.319°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030320X00364
NTSB summary
On March 14, 2003, at 2345 eastern standard time, a passenger was fatally injured when he was struck by a rotating propeller. The airplane, a Cessna 172, N1444V, was not damaged, and the certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that was supposed to depart from Richmond International Airport (RIC), Richmond, Virginia, and was destined for Laurel Airport (N06), Laurel, Delaware. The business flight was to be conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane and interviewed the pilot. According to the inspector, the pilot and the passenger were employed by a news agency in Delaware, and were in Richmond to cover a sporting event. The airplane was parked at a fixed base operator. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he and the passenger conducted a preflight inspection, and boarded the airplane. After starting the engine, the pilot noticed that the wheel chock had not been removed from the left main landing gear. He then asked the passenger to go behind the airplane, and pull it away. Before the passenger exited the airplane, the pilot repeated to him, "go to the back of the airplane, do not go to the front." While the passenger exited the airplane, the pilot pulled the power all the way back to idle in order to reduce the blast of air. The pilot then saw the passenger step toward the front of the airplane, and screamed "no, stop," but the passenger could not hear him. The passenger was then struck by the moving propell
Probable cause
The passenger's failure to remain clear of the propeller. Factors included the passenger's recent use of marijuana, the pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, and the night lighting conditions.
More accidents in VA
- Boeing 757-200, Sep 11, 2001
- Beech B99, Sep 23, 1985
- Beech 65, Sep 10, 1995
- Beech 200, Oct 24, 2004
- Piper PA-31-310, Nov 14, 1982
Browse: Virginia · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
