Probable cause
The pilot being struck in the head by the propeller before flight, which resulted in a serious injury.
NTSB analysis
A witness reported seeing the pilot walking around his airplane while his son sat inside it. The witness then saw the pilot laying unresponsive on the ground in front of the engine. According to the police report, the pilot sustained a serious head wound, and blood spatter was observed on the propeller. The report also stated that, after the pilot was taken to the hospital, the power and fuel had to be turned off and that the airplane had to be tied down.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA20CA117 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 29, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wilmington, Delaware
- Nearest airport
- New Castle (ILG)
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA28
- N-number
- N228JS
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1974
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.