Incidents
While performing a differential compression test in a hangar, the propeller suddenly rotated and struck him in the head and chest. He died several days later. Witnesses reported no engine combustion.
The aviation-maintenance instructor was demonstrating a compression check when the propeller struck him in the face, causing skull and facial fractures and intracranial hemorrhage.
During a compression check, the propeller got away and struck the student in the head, requiring six staples.
During an aviation-school compression check, the propeller struck the student, reportedly causing a scalp injury and crushed/fractured collarbone.
A mechanic performing a compression test alone was subsequently found on the shop floor in a pool of blood after the propeller apparently got away from him.
During a compression test, the propeller reportedly struck the victim in the head, causing a severe brain injury. He reportedly died about seven months later.
A mechanic slightly moved a stationary propeller during maintenance. The engine unexpectedly fired and the propeller fractured and lacerated his arm.
While changing the oil on his T-35 Buckaroo, Barnett moved the propeller a few inches. The engine fired and the propeller struck his leg twice and his hand once, severely damaging his femur.
During preflight, the pilot apparently slightly moved the stationary propeller. A cylinder fired and the propeller struck and killed him. The ignition key was in his pocket.
The owner moved the stationary propeller and it violently kicked backward, severely dislocating his shoulder. He eventually required a shoulder replacement.
While repositioning the propeller after putting the airplane away, a cylinder fired and the propeller struck both hands, causing multiple fractures and requiring surgery.
While manually rotating a stationary propeller, the engine unexpectedly fired because of a hot magneto and injured his hand.
With the ignition reportedly OFF, the stationary propeller was moved and unexpectedly kicked/backfired and injured him.
While working around a Comanche during an annual inspection, he reportedly slightly moved the propeller. The engine fired and the propeller severed his right arm near the elbow.
Aircraft mechanic Paul N. reported an unexpected propeller-firing accident that resulted in nine staples in the back of the victim’s head.
Paul N. also reported a separate unexpected propeller incident that resulted in a broken wrist.
While performing hangar maintenance, he manually rotated the propeller and the engine unexpectedly started. He wasn’t injured, but the unattended airplane moved across the hangar and struck another aircraft.
I was completing the compression test on #4 cylinder on the O–200. I had the cylinder at TDC with 80 PSI on the tester gauge and it was showing 74/80. I was standing on the left side of the engine the owner was in front of the Prop. I held the tester up so the owner could read the numbers. He leaned in to better see the gauge and pushed the blade down, bringing the piston off TDC and WACK. It happened so fast I didn’t have time to do anything but ask “are you alright, did it hit you?” He responded “yes”. While taking off his hat, blood was already running down his neck. Last time I saw him he was on his way to the ER. He sat around a few minutes and made certain he was not going to pass out. He got one hell of a cut above and just behind his left ear.
A propeller that isn’t turning is not a propeller that’s safe.
Fuel, spark, and a compressed cylinder are all it takes. Treat every prop as if the engine could fire — because in every case above, it did.