KANSAS- Amanda Gallagher, a 37-year-old US woman, dies after backing into an aircraft propeller while photographing skydivers at Cook Airfield (K50) near Wichita, Kansas on Saturday (October 26, 2024).
The incident occurred after a routine observation flight with Air Capital Drop Zone, where Gallagher served as a photography enthusiast. She breached standard safety protocols by positioning herself in front of the aircraft’s wing while the propeller remained active.
US Woman Dies at Kansas Airfield
Air Capital Drop Zone owner Martin Myrtle reveals Gallagher’s deep connection to the skydiving community. “Her presence at the Drop Zone was welcomed, she was loved,” states Myrtle, emphasizing her impact on fellow aviation enthusiasts.
Cook Airfield, located 15 miles south of Wichita in Derby, serves as the operational base for the Air Capital Drop Zone.
The private airfield acknowledged the incident through their official Facebook channel, extending condolences to Gallagher’s loved ones.
Family and friends remember Gallagher as an adventurous spirit who pursued creative passions. A fundraising campaign launched on GoFundMe aims to support funeral arrangements, highlighting her roles as a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the young lady who died yesterday after a tragic accident with an airplane propeller on Cook Airfield. I wasn’t there when it happened, so I will not speculate on what could have or should have happened differently. Just please keep her family, her friends and her Air Capital Drop Zone family in your prayers and thoughts
Martin Myrtle, Owner, Air Capital Drop Zone
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a formal investigation in partnership with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the precise circumstances of this incident.
This tragic event underscores the critical importance of adhering to established safety measures around active aircraft, particularly regarding propeller awareness and designated photography zones at airfields.
Similar Incidents
Well, such incidents are rare but they do occur due to the carelessness of people or unawareness.
In January 2024, A 30-year-old passenger died after entering an Airbus A220 engine at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Kyler Efinger of Park City, Utah, breached airport security through a terminal emergency exit before accessing the aircraft during deicing operations.
Airport surveillance detected Efinger after a store manager reported a disturbance at approximately 10 p.m. The passenger, who held a boarding pass for Denver, accessed the secure ramp area and proceeded to the airport’s west runway.
A pilot spotted Efinger during the security response. Officers located personal belongings, including clothes and shoes, on the runway before finding him at a deicing pad. Air traffic controllers instructed the pilot to shut down the aircraft’s engines after Efinger entered the engine intake.
Delta Air Lines (DL) Flight DL2348, bound for San Francisco (SFO), returned to the gate following the incident. All 95 passengers disembarked, and Delta canceled the flight.
Similarly, in May 2024, a tragic incident occurred at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), where a person was killed after being drawn into the engine of a departing KLM Cityhopper Embraer E190, registered as PH-EZL.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
