Piper PA-24-260 N8992P

Summary

On 26 September 1993 at about 20:58 local time, a Piper PA-24-260 registered N8992P, operated by L & L Aviation Inc., was involved in an accident near Niagara Falls, New York, United States. 2 people were on board. One person on the ground also died. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 September 1993 at 20:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Niagara Falls, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Niagara Falls Intl (IAG)

Coordinates

43.1404, -79.0296

Aircraft

Piper PA-24-260

Registration

N8992P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

L & L Aviation Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Westminster

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO93LA186

Injuries not recorded.

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW STARTING PROCEDURES AND HIS INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY NOT REMOVING THE WHEEL CHOCKS AND THE PASSENGER NOT MAINTAINING CLEARANCE FROM THE PROPELLER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD COMPLETED HIS PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, AND RETURNED TO THE OFFICE TO PAY HIS TIE-DOWN FEES FOR THE THREE DAYS. ON HIS RETURN, HE STATED THAT HE STARTED THE ENGINE, CONTACTED GROUND CONTROL FOR TAXI INSTRUCTIONS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO TAXI AS THE NOSEWHEEL CHOCK WAS STILL IN PLACE. HIS WIFE, A NON-PILOT, VOLUNTEERED TO REMOVE THE CHOCK. HE STATED THAT SHE EXITED THE AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT AND WALKED IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT WING WHERE SHE TRIED TO REMOVE THE CHOCK FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE NOSE GEAR AFT OF THE PROPELLER. SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE PROPELLER. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HEARD AND FELT A SLIGHT THUD IN THE VICINITY OF THE PROPELLER, SO HE SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN AND EXITED THE AIRPLANE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.