Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to remain clear of the airplane’s rotating propeller.
NTSB analysis
The student pilot and flight instructor had landed, parked, and secured the airplane. They returned about 15 minutes later and attempted to restart the airplane but were unable to do so. An external battery supply was connected to the airplane by the owner of the flight school, and at that time of the engine start, the student was located behind the airplane. After the engine was started, the instructor allowed the engine to idle for about 1 minute while the external power supply was removed by the owner. Neither the owner nor the instructor observed the student walk from the rear of the airplane to the front until the airplane's engine made an unusual sound, and they then noticed the student running from the front of the airplane. The student pilot sustained a serious injury to his left arm.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA13LA075 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 2, 2012
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Albemarle, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Stanly County Airport (VUJ)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172F
- N-number
- N8475U
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
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.