Eduardo Hernandez, Employee at SkyDive Marana, Died in Propeller Accident at Marana Regional Airport Located Along West Avra Valley Road

MARANA, ARIZONA (June 17, 2026) – A man identified as Eduardo Hernandez has tragically died in an accident with a spinning propeller at the Marana Regional Airport.

Pima County officials are saying that the accident took place on Saturday, June 14. According to one report by the Federal Aviation Administration, an aircraft landed at the airport and was parked on a ramp.

Eduardo Hernandez may have walked into the propeller. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the man.

Sadly, the victim died due to the severe nature of his injuries. You can help support the family of Eduardo Hernandez through GoFundMe.

According to the online fundraiser, “Sophia, my neighbor, is facing an unimaginable loss. Her husband recently passed away in a tragic accident at the Marana airport. Sophia and her husband came to the United States legally on visas, hoping to build a better life for their family. Now, she finds herself alone in a new country, unable to speak English, with no family nearby to lean on. She is caring for her 6-year-old son and is also expecting another child, making this time even more overwhelming and uncertain for her.”

A full investigation by the FAA remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Marana Regional Airport Aviation Accidents

Employers in Arizona have a legal obligation to maintain worksites in a reasonably safe condition. This is particularly important at airports. According to 29 U.S.C. § 654(a)(1), “each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.” There are many steps that companies that work in aviation can take to prevent propeller accidents.

  • Pilot Responsibility: Pilots should ensure that they shut down their engine before anyone exits or approaches the aircraft.
  • Propeller Exclusion Zones: Airports should create and enforce marked propeller exclusion zones.
  • Safety Training: Employees should be trained to recognize the hazard posed by propellers and moving aircraft.
  • Distractions: Employers should take proactive measures to help prevent cell phones and other objects from becoming distractions and areas with ongoing hazards.

When a worker is injured or killed in Arizona, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. This is a no-fault insurance scheme designed to help in the aftermath of any workplace incident. There is no need for an injured worker or their family to demonstrate one party acted negligently. In addition to this, an injured worker or their family may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a third-party liability claim. A third-party liability claim may be possible if an entity separate from a worker’s employer contributed to an accident.

Third-Party Liability for Propeller Accidents

Many people are seriously injured or killed in various aviation accidents each year in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, “Preliminary estimates of the total number of accidents involving a U.S. registered civilian aircraft decreased from 1,216 in 2023 to 1,201 in 2024. The number of civil aviation deaths decreased from 327 in 2023 to 321 in 2024.” There could be several sources of third-party liability for a propeller accident.

  • Aircraft Owner: The registered owner of an aircraft could potentially be liable for an accident where someone is hit by their propeller if they failed to abide by safety procedures.
  • Pilot’s Employer: An aviation company could potentially be liable if a pilot left their aircraft running as personnel were moving to the aircraft. As a general principle, employers can be vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers who were operating within the course and scope of their job duties.
  • Maintenance Company: The company responsible for maintaining an aircraft could be liable if some type of defect with an aircraft prevented the propeller from shutting off normally.

The vast majority of aviation accidents are preventable. Pilots are chiefly responsible for the operation of their aircraft. They must turn off the engine after it has been brought to a safe stop. But safety is not the sole responsibility of pilots. It is important that accident victims understand that they do have legal rights. The family of any person killed in a propeller accident is able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil claim.

Investigating Accidents at the Marana Regional Airport

We at The Law Offices of John Phebus extend our deepest condolences to the family of Eduardo Hernandez. This was a tragedy that should have never taken place. It is our sincere hope that there is a thorough investigation by OSHA so that similar accidents can be prevented. Many different questions have yet to be answered. Why was the propeller still running as workers were approaching the aircraft? What is the safety record of the company that owned the plane?

Do you need more information about an accident at the Marana Regional Airport? Our team of aviation accident investigators is here for you. We are committed to helping victims get the information and support that they are entitled to under the law. You can rest assured that we will do everything in our power to answer the questions that you have. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (623) 267-9283.

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