CLEAR PROP!

[captain_john]

Hey All,

This isn't my story. It is Bill Repucci's but it is certainly worth sharing.

A few years back as one of our chapter fly-in’s was ending a member got in his Cessna 170 after completing his walk around. He buckled in, put the key in the starter, opened the window, yelled “CLEARâ€￾, put his hand on the key, and looked up in time to see the prop twitch. Thinking that was odd, he got out of the plane and walked up front. That’s when he found a five or six year-old playing with his prop. The kid looked up and said, “Mister, will you give me a ride in your plane?â€￾ Needless to say, my friend turned white at the thought he almost killed this little guy.

(BTW, we now request pilots have someone stand by when they start up to leave.)

Thanks for sharing, Bill! It gives me chills to think about the possible outcomes of that one!

Keep that story in mind when you are starting your 200hp meat cleaver!

I will!

CJ

[Spike]

Oh my goodness. I think I might have thrown up. That is a pretty sobering reminder CJ, thanx.

Spike

[RobDob]

That is very frightening. Where was the kids parent?! I never let my kids anywhere NEAR the business end of aircraft when in the hangar, sends shivers down my spine thinking about what might have happened to Bill there.

[captain_john]

Rob Dob, my girlfriend Karen also asked where the kid's parent was! Exactly right!

CJ

[Park]

I must say, after 29 years around airplanes that has to be the scariest thing I've ever heard.

[Spike]

Yeah that sends shivers up my spine.

[aparchment]

Un-friggin-believable. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

I am pretty aware of everyone around me at all times, and that includes when I am getting ready to start the plane, but I think it make sense to make note of all the kids who might be around as a just in case.

I'm just shocked that any parent would lose sight of their little one long enough for them to get into this kind of trouble.

[lancef53]

We have a fly-in at the small grass strip at the lake each summer, and it brings lots of town people, lake people, etc. There is an old aeronca champ that hasn't flown in years that sits in an open hanger on the field. The owner keeps it running, and runs it up every month or so in the summer.
I was walking by and I saw a 4-5 year old boy doing what boys do, running around and touching everything. Before I new it, he ran buy it and swung the prop thru, just like someone giving an underdog on a swingset. Thanks goodness it didn't start, so before I could think I grabbed the kid by the arm and scolded him for touching the plane. His parents had no idea, and were looking at me like I was about to abduct their child. I was sick to my stomach for a long time afterwards, it still gives me chills.

[hydroguy2]

The developer, where I bought my 1st skypark lot, quit flying and moved away after his 5yr grandson ran out to go with grampa at the same moment the engine was being started.

[captain_john]

WOW Brian, that is absolutely tragic!

CJ

[Midnight Sun]

Yeah my first thought also was where are the parents ?? Kids can wander quickly no doubt, but WOW that story sent a shiver up my spine.