N398JPilatus PC-12/45 · 2001

On January 3, 2008, approximately 0225 central standard time, a Pilatus PC-12/45, N398J, a single-engine turbo-prop airplane, was not damaged when a line technician was struck and killed by its moving propeller while parked at the ramp at Wiley Post Airport, Oklahoma City (PWA), Oklahoma. The commercial pilot and the 7 passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated by and registered to Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. An instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that had departed the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Phoenix, Arizona, about 2200. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight that was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the Oklahoma City Police Department report, the pilot stated that after landing, he taxied to the fixed base operator (FBO) located at the airport. When he reached the FBO's dimly lit ramp, the line technician used lighted wands to guide the airplane to a parking spot. Once the line technician gave the pilot the "stop" hand signal, the pilot stopped the airplane, set the brake, and began shutting down the engine. The pilot said that when he was about to move the throttle to the fuel-cut-off position, he heard a loud "thud" and the engine, airplane and propeller began to "vibrate badly." He looked up and saw a "rapid movement" out of the corner of his eye to the left of the airplane and realized it was the line attendant tumbling along the ramp surface. The pilot immediately engaged the fuel-cut-off switch, and waited for the propeller to stop turning. At that point, the pilot and a passenger, who was a physician, exited the aircraft and immediately administered first aid to the technician until emergency response personnel arrived.

The police report also reported that a set of wheel chocks, a shoe, and broken pieces of the lighted wands were found near the propeller.

The FBO's third shift supervisor was on the ramp when the accident occurred, but he did not witness the line technician being struck by the propeller. According to the supervisor, he was operating an airplane tug and had last observed the line technician marshalling the airplane. The supervisor had turned away from the airplane when he heard a loud "thud." When he turned around, he saw that the line technician was critically injured and was rolling on the ground toward the airplane's left wing tip.

Although there were seven passengers on board the airplane, none of them witnessed the accident.

A review of training records provided by the FBO revealed that the line technician had successfully completed Professional Line Service Training (PLST) on September 4, 2007. This training included the dangers associated when working around propellers. According to the PLST Training Manual, Section 2.2.5, titled Propeller Danger, it stated, "The propeller blades spin at a high rpm and may present a significant hazard to ramp workers. Line service personnel have been killed by spinning propellers. Because propellers can become invisible when spinning at high revolution, it is easy to become distracted and forget that the aircraft's engine is, indeed, running." In addition, section 2.5 of the manual, titled Aircraft Marshaling and Hand Signals, stated, "...Some additional rules which must be followed when marshaling and parking of all types of aircraft...Propellers and rotors must be completely stopped before positioning the chocks."

Further review of the line technician's training file revealed that he received a Disciplinary Action from his employer on October 11, 2007. The reason for the action was defined as,"[Line technician] chocked the nose wheel of [registration number] (King Air) while the engines were still running. This violates previous training he has received." The Disciplinary Action was signed by the Line Technician, his supervisor, the General Manager of the FBO, and a witness.

As a result of this accident, The FBO issued training Bulletin #08-001, titled Aircraft Propeller Safety, to its 2,600 employees. This purpose of the bulletin was to "Ensure all personnel, who work, provide service or transition near aircraft, recognize the potential danger which exists with aircraft propellers, whether moving or stationary, and always observe propeller safety operating procedures."

Weather reported at Wiley Post Airport at 0253 included wind from 170 degrees at 16 knots, visibility 10 miles, clear skies, and a barometric pressure setting of 30.65 inches of Mercury.