N228JS

Unknown
Serious

Piper PA28S/N: 28-7415103

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, February 29, 2020
NTSB Number
ERA20CA117
Location
Wilmington, DE
Event ID
20200301X82907
Coordinates
39.678611, -75.606666
Aircraft Damage
Unknown
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
1
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot being struck in the head by the propeller before flight, which resulted in a serious injury.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PIPER
Serial Number
28-7415103
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1974
Model / ICAO
PA28P28A
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
4
FAA Model
PA-28-151

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
LIPSETT ANDREW WILLIAM
Address
37 LONGSPUR DR
City
WILMINGTON
State / Zip Code
DE 19808-1972
Country
United States

Analysis

A witness observed the pilot walking around his airplane while his 11-year-old son sat inside the aircraft. The next thing the witness observed was the pilot laying unresponsive in front of the engine and the son screaming on the phone to 911. The son was trying to describe his location, so the witness called ground control on his airplane's radio, who in turn dispatched rescue personnel. 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 the airplane's power and fuel had to be turned off and the airplane tied down after the pilot was taken to the hospital. According to the pilot's wife, her husband and son were planning to depart on a cross country flight before the accident occurred.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA20CA117