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August 31, 2010

Flight instructor killed by plane's propeller

CNHI News Service CNHI News Service

BEVERLY, Mass. — A 30-year-old flight instructor was stuck and killed by his propeller after getting out of his plane to help another pilot on an airport runway.

Authorities said Michael Costales, 30, Weymouth, Mass., died instantly in the Friday accident at Beverly Municipal Airport.

They said Costales noticed a plane stopped ahead of him had trouble closing its overhead canopy and so he exited his idling aircraft to inquire about the problem when he was struck by his propeller.

"It's extremely tragic," said Paul Vitale, chairman of the Beverly Airport Commission. "I don't think we've ever seen anything like this in the 80-year history of this airport."

Vitale said pilots don't usually leave an aircraft when the engine is running and the propeller whirling, "but I don't know what the circumstances were in this case."

The two planes were in a "run-up" area leading to runway 34 and were waiting to be cleared for departure by the airport tower.

A student pilot was in Costales' single-engine Piper Warrior at the time. The other plane also contained a flight instructor and a student pilot.

Authorities said Costales had been flying for 10 years and became a flight instructor at Beverly Flight Center at age 21. He was promoted to chief flight instructor in 2008.

A native of Miami, Costales also flew seaplanes and gliders, according to the company's website. His career goal was to become a charter or corporate pilot. He was also a professional scuba diver and instructor, as well as an avid skier, pianist, and Latin and ballroom dancer.

A quote on his website biography says, "My passion in life is to share my own passions with others."

"He loved the art of flying," Vitale said. "From what I'm told he was a terrific flight instructor. He was a great kid."

---

Details for this story were provided by The Salem, Mass., News.

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