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NTSB Report

June 14, 1999 · Russell Sport Trainer Sport TRAI · N57HR

Ft. Calhoun, NE

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ft. Calhoun, NE
Aircraft
Russell Sport Trainer Sport TRAI
Tail Number
N57HR
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA192

The pilot chocked the left main gear and pulled the propeller through four times in an attempt to get the engine started. He was unable to start the engine and decided it was flooded. He went into the cockpit, opened the throttle and turned the magnetos off. He then pulled the propeller through in the opposite direction to clear the engine. He went back to the cockpit and turned the magnetos on, but forgot to reduce the throttle setting. He pulled the propeller through again and the engine started. The airplane turned to the left and traveled about 50 feet prior to contacting a hangar and coming to a stop.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot used an improper engine starting procedure in that he failed to reduce the throttle setting and to assure the airplane was adequately secured prior to starting.

Full Narrative

On June 14, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time (cdt), a Russell Sport Trainer, N57HR, contacted the pilot and airport hangars, while being hand propped at a Bil-Lo Field, in Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot was starting the airplane with the intention of making a local flight. The pilot stated the airplane was parked facing east with buildings on both the north and south side of it. He chocked the left wheel of the airplane and attempted to start the engine. He reported, "After four attempts at pulling the prop to start it, I decided the engine was flooded. I went to the cab and shut off the magnetos and opened the throttle. I then went to the front of the plane and reversed the direction of the pull of the prop hoping to drain the engine. After completing the four pulls in the opposite direction I went to the cab of the plane and turned the magnetos back on and failed to shut the throttle down." The pilot once again pulled the propeller through and the engine started. The airplane turned to the north and traveled approximately 50 feet prior to contacting a hangar and coming to a stop. The pilot reported, "There were two mistakes: (1) I should have had both wheels chalked and (2) I should have remembered to shut down the throttle when I went back for the second attempt to start the engine."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportBil-Lo Field (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftRussell Sport Trainer Sport TRAI
Tail NumberN57HR
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · Reciprocating · 90
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 77 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360°
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data