By Stephanie Zappelli
The Tribune
PASO ROBLES, Calif. — An airplane propeller severed a pilot’s arm in a freak accident at the Paso Robles Municipal Airport on Wednesday.
The 81-year-old pilot from Watsonville was preparing to depart the airport in an Aeronca Champion airplane when the incident occurred, airport manager Mark Scandalis said.
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The pilot fueled the airplane, then prepared to move it from the fuel island to parking. At about 5:45 p.m., the propeller sliced the pilot’s arm, Scandalis said.
The incident was caused by “pilot error,” he said.
Loyd’s Aviation staff gave the pilot first aid, then an ambulance transported the man to the hospital, Scandalis said.
The pilot survived the incident, but Scandalis did not have an update on his condition on Thursday afternoon.
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