Hand lost by prop

[rdarby]

http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/fashion/model-and-exgossip-girl-stylist-loses-hand-in-freak-accident-20111206-1oh0d.html

 

Although this happened overseas it is relevant to all of us who take pax.

 

Look after them.

 

I lay down some rules:

 

• Engine is off if we are outside
   
   
  
• They wait until I come round to open the door for them
   
   
  
• They are not allowed in front of the wings
   
   
  
• I give them a talk about the danger of props and that they are invisible, and that they must not walk on taxiways
   
   
  

 

 

 

This was a really preventable accident. I'm not saying it's anyones fault but as pilots we need to realise that non pilots just seem to be out of their depth around airplanes and do all sorts of things.

 

Ryan

 

 

[Owi]

"Freak accident", my a**. While I'm sorry for the woman's misfortune, it was definitely preventable. The pilot must take at least some responsibility for her. Complacency has no place in aviation.

 

 

[Tomo]

I would never let someone 'new' to flying/aircraft walk around, or even get out of my aircraft with the engine running.

 

 

[kgwilson]

Many years ago at Claris Airfield, Great Barrier Island, NZ, a commercial pilot walked into his own aircraft's prop. The result was fatal. I wasn't there but a good friend was. The mental scarring for him is permanent. Be very afraid of spinning propellers.

 

 

[Guest pookemon]

I was amazed to discover that the insurance paid for when you are a member of the VMAA (Victorian Model Aircraft Association) covers you for medical treatment if you are dumb enough to stick your hand in the propellor of your model. I just can't imagine why it is that people are not smart enough to keep away from the prop (even when it's not spinning). Sure you can't see them - but you know they are there!

 

And the pilot should get a swift kick too. Probably wanted to depart quickly...

 

 

[facthunter]

We're generally far too casual about props in RAAus. Professionals who work around them are far more cautious. Admitted, the "impulse" magneto coupling makes those engines where they are fitted, extremely dangerous. People shouldn't be milling around an aircraft with the prop running at all.Nev

 

 

[Gnarly Gnu]

What was it like in the days of hand-propping Nev?

 

 

[facthunter]

GG everyone who needed it was checked out on it ( propswinging), and a log book entry made certifying such. I cannot ever remember an incident and nobody walked through the prop arc. The Avro's with the Genet Major engine would sometimes start spontaneously several minutes after shutting down. We put this down to incandescent carbon burning. They were a hot running engine at the best of times, and we always used that as an example of "props are always alive" Nev

 

 

[Wayne T Mathews]

What was it like in the days of hand-propping Nev?

Argh come on GG, some of us still do it...

 

 

[facthunter]

Nice to have the option. You save a lot of weight by not having a starter. I've never seen anyone handswing a Jab or rotax (912) Wouldn't work. Nev

 

 

[farri]

Nearly brought me to tears!..I`m so sorry for the poor lady.... It was no freak accident,she simply got hit by the prop.

 

I don`t know that we`re generaly far too casual about props in RAAus,but I do know that no one gets in or out of anything I fly while the prop is spining!

 

Frank.

 

 

[David Isaac]

Argh come on GG, some of us still do it...

Yep and I have just joined that club GG.

Gypsy Major procedure.

 

Chock aircraft and apply parking brake.

 

Check engine oil, and general engine check for loose connections, fuel lines, oil lines etc.

 

Fuel on.

 

Switches off.

 

Hold priming plunger down on carburetor (done by a cable connection from left side of engine) and hand operate one of the two mechanical fuel pumps from the left side of engine until fuel freely flows out of the intake manifold onto the ground.

 

Ensure switches off.

 

Pull engine through 8 compressions (treat prop as live, cant trust the earth on the magneto), check for impulse mag 'clack' as pulling through.

 

Right magneto switch ON. (impulse mag).

 

Check brakes ON and chocks firmly in position.

 

Throttle cracked to idle position.

 

Prop swing (should start on first compression swing and idle, some times needs two swings).

 

Engine starts.

 

be prop aware and reach into cockpit and activate second mag switch so Both mag switches ON

 

Adjust throttle to smooth run.

 

Check oil pressure up.

 

Get in and do all engine checks.

 

Guess what aircraft that is ... Wayne keep quiet.

 

 

[Guernsey]

Tiger Moth.???

 

 

[David Isaac]

Tiger Moth.???

No,

The parking brake, having to reach switches inside the cockpit and pulling the priming cable disqualify a DH82 ... good try though

 

 

[eastmeg2]

I probably never noticed it back in the '90's when the MacGyver series started before my piloting days. But seeing some re-runs lately I couldn't help but notice a shot of the star of the show LEANING on an aircrafts propeller during the intro'. That's a terrible role model and makes you wonder how many people think its ok to lean on an aircrafts prop from seeing that shot . . .

 

 

[dazza 38]

Wouldnt be a Auster J1b would it ?

 

 

[David Isaac]

Wouldnt be a Auster J1b would it ?

Clever lad you are Dazza, right on the button.

Ha ha you saw it in my Avatar list didn't you cunning bugga.

 

 

[dazza 38]

Clever lad you are Dazza, right on the button.Ha ha you saw it in my Avatar list didn't you cunning bugga.

YEP, the first place I looked mate.LOL

 

 

[J170 Owner]

Sad, so sad...

 

 

[Deskpilot]

This can happen even to experienced flyers. Who was that famous golfer who walked into his own(Ithink) prop? Still plays golf, despite losing his arm.

 

All it takes is a moment forgetfulness.

 

 

[J170 Owner]

This can happen even to experienced flyers. Who was that famous golfer who walked into his own(Ithink) prop? Still plays golf, despite losing his arm.All it takes is a moment forgetfulness.

Actually, the golfer was not a pilot. As I understand it, he was late for his flight, drunk and ran up to the plane waving madly and then all hell broke loose (including his arm)...

 

 

[dazza 38]

This can happen even to experienced flyers. Who was that famous golfer who walked into his own(Ithink) prop? Still plays golf, despite losing his arm.All it takes is a moment forgetfulness.

Jack Newton.He still plays very well with just one arm.

 

 

[pilotdave69]

God i was shocked when i read this!! Poor girl, model and all that and now scared for life..! Hope she recovers ok.! I never let anyone get out without prop being off. !