Search This Blog

Monday, January 30, 2012

Pilot Dies From Propeller Strike

Tragic: The accident happened while the victim was trying to hand crank the propeller, witnesses said

Pilot was struck in the head by a moving airplane propeller

San Diego - A pilot died Monday after he was struck in the head by a moving airplane propeller, according to officials.

The single-engine plane pilot got out of his aircraft in the ramp area of Gillespie Field and was then hit in the head by the propeller at around 8:30 a.m.

He was taken to the hospital with critical injuries where he died later, according to airport spokesperson Ian Gregor.

"We believe he got out of the plane to manually start the propeller," said Gregor in a statement. "When the propeller engaged, it struck him in the head."

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate this accident, said Gregor.

The cause of the incident is unknown at this time.

1 comment: