NTSB Report: Pilot Tried to Warn Model Injured by Propeller

A pilot warned model Lauren Scruggs to stay away from a moving airplane propeller right before she was seriously injured last month, according to a preliminary federal report released Monday.

The pilot, previously identified as Curt Richmond of Frisco, has not spoken publicly about the Dec. 3 accident at Aero Country Airport in McKinney.

But a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Administration released Monday revealed he told investigators he had just returned Scruggs from a 20-minute tour to see Christmas lights, parked the plane and left the engine running because he was preparing to pick up another passenger.

Scruggs walked out the door on the right side, the report said.

The pilot said he noticed Scruggs was heading toward the front of the plane, leaned out of his seat and "placed his right hand and arm in front of her to divert her away from the front of the airplane and the propeller."

According to the report, Richmond said he kept his arm extended and "told the passenger that she should walk behind the airplane."

It's unclear if Scruggs heard the warning with the sound of the engine still running.

Richmond said when Scruggs appeared to be walking the correct direction, he dropped his arm and returned to his "normal seat position" -- ready for the next passenger to get on board.

"The pilot then heard someone yell, 'STOP, STOP,' and he immediately shut down the engine and saw the passenger lying in front of the plane," the report said.

Scruggs, 23, a model and fashion blogger, lost her left hand and left eye in the accident and is still recuperating from her injuries. She has been treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

Speaking after the accident, Scruggs parents said they didn't blame the pilot.