NTSB Factual Report

On August 24, 2007, at approximately 2012 central daylight time, the commercial pilot of a Cessna A188B agricultural airplane, N9561G, was struck by the airplane's propeller while performing post-flight maintenance at the Colorado City Airport (T88), Colorado City, Texas. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight.

Two people were in the vicinity of the aircraft during the mishap. The witnesses reported seeing the pilot deplane the airplane after completing the first of two planned aerial applications, and with the airplane's engine still running. The witnesses were loading another airplane when they heard an unusual sound followed by the airplane's engine shutting down. Neither actually witnessed the propeller strike. When they saw the pilot lying the ground near the airplane, they rushed to provide aid and called for emergency services.

The strike marks on the pilot were consistent with entering the propeller's path from the left side of the airplane heading forward. An ammeter was found in the pilot's possession. All panels were closed on the airplane, but the airplane's alternator access panel is located on the left side of the airplane. One of the witnesses, who is an acquaintance of the pilot, said in a telephone interview that the pilot report having occasional electric problems with the airplane.

An automated weather reporting facility located at SNK, 23 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported weather at 2005 as winds 170 degrees at 8 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, skies clear, temperature 84 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and barometric pressure at 29.89 inches of Mercury.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clear of the rotating propeller.