Pilot Struck in Head by Propeller at Gillespie Field

February 1, 2012
6:43 pm

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Pilot Struck in Head by Propeller at Gillespie Field

01/31/2012 // WPB, FL, USA // Injury Lawyers News // Nicole Howley

El Cajon, CA — A 41-year-old pilot is dead after he was hit in the head by a propeller of a small plane on Monday, January 30, 2012. The fatal accident occurred around 8:30 a.m. at Gillespie Field, reported Fox5SanDiego.com.

According to reports, the pilot and a passenger were taxiing a single-engine Piper Cherokee plane to the runway when the engine stalled. The pilot got out of the plane and tried to start the engine through a method called “hand propping,” in which the engine is manually restarted by turning the propeller. In doing this, the pilot was struck in the head by the propeller.

Pilot Daniel Wisenewski told Fox 5 that “hand propping is a very dangerous method and sometimes is used to start engine or clear carbonator.”

Responding emergency crews rushed the man by ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The National Transportation Safety Board, the FAA and the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the fatal aviation accident.