Cessna R172K N1444V

Summary

On 15 March 2003 at about 04:45 local time, a Cessna R172K registered N1444V was involved in an accident near Richmond, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and one died. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 March 2003 at 04:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Richmond, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Richmond International (RIC)

Coordinates

37.5050, -77.3194

Aircraft

Cessna R172K

Registration

N1444V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Richmond → Laurel

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Bright

NTSB number

IAD03LA036

1 person died.

The passenger's failure to remain clear of the propeller. Factors included the passenger's recent use of marijuana, the pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, and the night lighting conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot and the passenger conducted a preflight inspection, and boarded the airplane for a night departure. After starting the engine, the pilot noticed that the left main landing gear wheel chock had not been removed. He asked the passenger if he could go behind the airplane and pull it away. Before the passenger exited the airplane, the pilot repeated to him, "go to the back of the airplane, do not go to the front." After the passenger exited the airplane, the pilot saw him step toward the front, and screamed, "no, stop," but the passenger was struck by the moving propeller. The passenger subsequently tested positive for marijuana.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.