ERA13LA075

Factual narrative

On December 2, 2012, about 1315 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172, N8475U, sustained minor damage when a student pilot came into contact with the rotating propeller, following engine start at Stanly County Airport (VUJ), Albemarle, North Carolina. The certificated flight instructor (CFI) was not injured. The airplane was registered to a private individual and was operated by Pressley Aviation under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as an instructional flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local instructional flight. According to the CFI and the operator, the flight departed Goose Creek Airport (28A), Indian Trail, North Carolina about 1030 and flew to VUJ. After practicing touch-and-go landings, the CFI and student performed a full-stop landing and taxied to the ramp, where the airplane's engine was shut down and the pilots exited the airplane. About 15 minutes later, both pilots returned to the airplane for another flight and possible solo flight for the student pilot; however, after several attempts, the engine could not be started and the airplane's battery was depleted. The owner of the flight school connected an external battery supply and the airplane's engine started. The CFI climbed into the airplane after the engine started and allowed the engine to idle for about one minute while the owner secured the cowling, and the student pilot remained outside and aft of the airplane. The owner reported seeing the student pilot's glasses blow off and the student was last seen about 30 feet behind the running airplane. The owner and CFI remained in eye contact with each other to facilitate removal of the external battery supply and securing the cowling. During this time, the owner and the CFI heard a sound from the engine, and noticed the student pilot running from the front of the airplane. The engine was shut down, and the student pilot was transported to the hospital. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Psychological-Perception/orientation/illusio-Situational awareness-Student pilot - C
• — Aircraft-Aircraft propeller/rotor-Propeller system-Propeller blade section-Damaged/degraded
• — Organizational issues-Support/oversight/monitoring-Oversight-Oversight of operation-Operator
• — Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Knowledge-Knowledge of procedures-Student pilot