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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 19, 1995 · Cessna 210J · N3328S

Bellefontaine, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 19, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Bellefontaine, OH
Aircraft
Cessna 210J
Tail Number
N3328S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO96LA024

THE PILOT TRIED TO START THE AIRPLANE ENGINE 4 OR 5 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. HE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S BATTERY WAS WEAK DUE TO INFREQUENT USE, AND HE DECIDED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND ROTATE THE PROPELLER THROUGH BY HAND. ALSO, HE STATED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED AS HE ROTATED THE PROPELLER BY HAND. THE AIRPLANE MOVED ACROSS THE RAMP AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED AIRPLANE AND A HANGAR. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION, AND THE IGNITION WAS IN THE RIGHT MAGNETO-ONLY POSITION. NO AIRCRAFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION/ANOMALY WAS FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT UNKNOWNLY LEFT THE IGNITION SWITCH IN RIGHT MAGNETO-ONLY POSITION, WHILE MOVING THE PROPELLER BY HAND, WHICH ALLOWED AN INADVERTENT START OF THE ENGINE. THE WEAK BATTERY WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Full Narrative

On November 19, 1995, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 210J, N3328S, inadvertently started while the pilot pulled the propeller through during the preflight inspection at Bellefontaine, Ohio. The airplane collided with a parked Beech C90; both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The one passenger (the sole airplane occupant) and the pilot (outside the airplane) reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the intended flight, no flight plan was filed. The local flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and was originating when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that he followed the airplane checklist when he attempted to start the engine. He reported: "Due to the lack of use of this [Cessna 210], the battery system was somewhat weak....the electrical system and battery did not have enough power to cycle the engine over." He stated that he tried to start the engine about 4 or 5 times by using the starter, then "...stopped trying to start the engine. I turned the master to the off position and turned the [magneto] key to the far left position. I proceeded to get out of the cabin...I slowly rotated the [propeller] over center one time, and the engine fired, to my surprise." The pilot reported that when the engine fired, the airplane began to move forward. The pilot instructed the passenger to shut the engine off, then tried unsuccessfully to open the pilot's side door to assist with the shutdown. The passenger reported that he tried to apply the brakes, then tried to pull the mixture and the throttle, without success. The airplane progressed across the ramp without anyone handling the controls. It collided with a hangar and a parked airplane, then came to a stop. Postaccident examination revealed that the ignition key was in the right magneto only position. Further examination of the magneto ground and ignition system revealed no evidence of malfunction/anomaly.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EST
Nearest AirportBellefontaine (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 210J
Tail NumberN3328S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data