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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

February 17, 1996 · Piper PA-28 · N9793J

Larned, KS

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 17, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Larned, KS
Aircraft
Piper PA-28
Tail Number
N9793J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI96LA092

The pilot noted that the battery power was low, so he decided to 'hand prime' the engine. The airplane was not chocked or tied down, and the mag switch was (inadvertently left) on. The engine started with no one in the airplane, and the airplane began moving (taxiing). Subsequently, it struck a parked airplane on the ramp and continued moving until it impacted the airport's windsock.

NTSB Probable Cause

Failure of the pilot to use adequate procedures for hand priming (hand propping) the engine.

Full Narrative

On February 16, 1996, at about 2100 central standard time (cst), a Piper PA-28, N9793J, owned and operated by a private pilot, was destroyed after striking several objects at the Larned-Pawnee County Airport, Larned, Kansas. The pilot was hand propping the airplane when it started and taxied with no one on board. The pilot reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was filed. From the pilot's written statement he stated that the airplane had not been flown for some time so he decided to hand prime the engine due to low battery power. The airplane was not chocked or tied down and the mag switch was positioned to the on position. The airplane started and began taxiing with no one board. The pilot began steering the airplane using the wing tip as a control and avoided the gas pump but collided with another airplane on the ramp. The airplane ran under the right wing of the other airplane and tore off the tail section of the airplane taxiing. The airplane then taxied across the airfield and came to rest after impacting the windsock on the airfield.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:00 CST
Nearest AirportLarned-Pawnee County (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length3559 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-28
Tail NumberN9793J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 22 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind180° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data