YK man struck by airplane propeller in serious condition

February 14, 2012

Yellowknife, N.W.T. The Transportation Safety Board has confirmed that an airport marshal was struck by a propeller from a Canadian North de Havilland Dash 8-100 aircraft that had come in from Cambridge Bay to Yellowknife on Monday night.

Upon landing the left engine was shut down while the right one was feathered, meaning the propeller was turning at a lower rate of speed.

TSB spokesperson Chris Krepski explained what happened next.

"The marshaller moved from the nose of the aircraft towards the right main landing gear with wheel chalk in his hand and was struck by the propeller. A flight attendant provided immediate first aid and aircraft firefighters responded within a minute"

The 28-year old male was transported to Stanton Territorial Hospital and Krepski said he was taken south from there.

"The marshaller sustained serious injuries but was in stable enough condition to be transported by Medevac to Edmonton, and Transportation Safety Board is currently gathering information on this occurrence and assessing what it may do next"

Krepski added the TSB is aware there was a power outage at the time but is unsure whether the two incidents are related.

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