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.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
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.