Right Front Seat Passenger... Stepped Off And “Ran” Into The Propeller

Location: Bardstown, KY Accident Number: ERA22LA362
Date & Time: August 7, 2022, 14:25 Local Registration: N723AG
Aircraft: Diamond Aircraft DA-40 Injuries: 1 Fatal, 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On August 7, 2022, about 1425 eastern daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft DA-40, N723AG, sustained minor damage when it was involved in an accident at Samuels Field Airport (BRY), Bardstown, Kentucky. A passenger was fatally injured, and the private pilot and a second passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, shortly after landing, with light rain in the area, the pilot and passengers decided that the passengers could switch seats, with the aft seat passenger trading places with the front right seat passenger and “they were going to make it quick.” After taxiing to the ramp and turning the airplane around to face the taxiway, the pilot parked and opened the canopy with the engine still operating. As the pilot attempted to shut down the engine by pulling out the mixture control, the right front seat passenger had already exited the airplane onto the right wing, stepped off and “ran” into the propeller that was still operating, resulting in fatal injuries.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov