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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 3, 1994 · Piper PA-28-140 · N4487J

Falls Of Rough, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 3, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Falls Of Rough, KY
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-140
Tail Number
N4487J
Operator
Thomas L Moore
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC94LA051

THE PILOT WAS HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE WHEN IT STARTED AND THE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TAXIED UNDER ITS OWN POWER AND STRUCK A BUILDING. THE PILOT'S FOUR-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST TIME ATTEMPTING TO HANDPROP AN ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE TIED DOWN THE TAIL AND SET THE BRAKES BEFOREHAND. HE TRIED ABOUT 20 TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTED. AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED HE JUMPED ON THE RIGHT WING AND DRAGGED HIS FEET TO SLOW DOWN THE AIRPLANE. THIS SLOWED AND TURNED THE AIRPLANE TOWARD THE BUILDING. THE PILOT STATED THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS IN HAND PROPPING, AND IF A QUALIFIED PILOT IN TYPE AIRCRAFT WAS AT THE CONTROLS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE TIEDOWN AND STARTING PROCEDURE WHICH RESULTED IN A RUNAWAY AIRCRAFT, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH A BUILDING.

Full Narrative

On March 3, 1994, at 1415 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4487J, collided with a building during an unmanned taxi at Rough River State Park, Falls of Rough, Kentucky. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was hand-propping the engine when it started and the unmanned aircraft taxied under it's own power and collided with a building. The right wing sheared off when the aircraft struck the building. There was also damage to the left wing and propeller. The passenger was the pilot's 4-year old daughter who occupied the right front seat. The pilot unsuccessfully tried to start the engine using the starter, but the propeller only rotated once. He pushed the airplane to a tie down spot, set the brakes, and tied down the tail. He then proceeded to hand-prop the engine. This was his first time ever hand-propping an engine. According to the pilot: After at least 20 times, I was going to give up (hand propping), but gave it one more hard pull. The engine started and seemed to be running fine. I walked around the right wing, but as I did I noted the airplane had begun to move. The door was blown shut by the prop wash and the aircraft accelerated rapidly toward the runway . . . I jumped on the right wing and drug my feet to slow the airplane. This slowed and turned the plane toward the wooden building. T In his response to how this accident could have been prevented, he reported: Never hand prop an airplane. It's too dangerous. (If you do decide to) be sure you have good prior instruction and know exactly what you are doing, and have a pilot qualifed in that type aircraft at the controls. Never place a child in the front seat of an aircraft with a stabilator. On impact, forward momentum forces the stabilator up, driving the yoke back into the child's head or face.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:30 CST
Nearest AirportRough River State Park (0nm N)
Runway20
Runway Length2500 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28-140
Tail NumberN4487J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThomas L Moore
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E28 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data