Pilot Tried to Stop Fashionista Before She Walked into Spinning Propellers
![Model and fashion editor Lauren Scruggs.](https://d.medicaldaily.com/en/full/222820/model-fashion-editor-lauren-scruggs.jpg?w=480&f=87f693557dd94061fcd566d67270d2b5)
The pilot of the plane that claimed Lauren Scruggs’ left hand and eye in December said he tried to stop the model and fashion editor before she walked into spinning propeller blades, according to his account in a newly released preliminary National Transportation Safety Board report.
Scruggs took a half hour trip to look at Christmas lights from the air. Upon landing at Aero County Airport in McKinney, Texas, Scruggs exited the plane and walked into its propeller blades, slicing the left side of her face and severing her hand.
The pilot, reported to be Curt Richmond of Frisco, Texas, left the plane’s engine running after landing, anticipating a new passenger. According to the NTSB report, he noticed Scruggs was walking towards the propellers, and tried to stop her, extending his arm and telling her to walk behind the plane instead.
After Richmond was convinced she heard his warning, he turned the other way, only to hear someone yell “Stop! Stop!” and find Scruggs injured on the tarmac in front of the plane.
The NTSB did not find fault with Richmond for the accident.
Scruggs had been in intensive rehab at Parkland Hospital in Dallas since the accident.