Probable cause
The failure of the operator to shut down aircraft while conducting servicing which resulted in a ground person being struck by the rotating aircraft propeller.
NTSB analysis
The aerial application airplane completed its last flight for the day and was parked with the engine running for cooling purposes before it was shut down. A ground support person, who was an aircraft loader, assisted in the cleaning of the airplane with the engine running. The loader began rinsing underneath the airplane and progressed inwards toward the wing root. The loader received serious injuries when he stood up and was stuck three times by the rotating propeller.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA469 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 23, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Miller, Missouri
- Nearest airport
- Kingsley Field (PVT)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-25-235
- N-number
- N6689Z
- Category
- Airplane
- Operating rule
- Part 137 (agricultural)
- Purpose of flight
- Aerial application
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.