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NTSB Report
August 27, 1989 · Taylorcraft BC-65 · N24463
Leonardtown, MD
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 27, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Leonardtown, MD
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BC-65
Tail Number
N24463
Operator
John F Loftus
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO89LA077
TO START THE ENG, THE PLT CHOCKED THE LEFT WHEEL & HAND PROPPED THE ACFT WITH THE THROTTLE SET AT IDLE. HOWEVER, AFTER THE ENG STARTED, ITS RPM WENT ABOVE IDLE & THE ACFT JUMPED THE CHOCK. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH A PARKED ACFT & A RWY LIGHT BEFORE THE PLT CAUGHT THE PLANE & SHUT DOWN THE ENG. HE HAD PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE ENG EARLIER THAT DAY & HAD IMPROPERLY SECURED THE THROTTLE CLAMP, WHICH ALLOWED THE THROTTLE CABLE TO SLIP TO A HIGHER RPM SETTING.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION BY THE PILOT BY NOT ASSURING THAT THE ACFT WAS PROPERLY SECURED, OR THAT SOMEONE WAS AT THE CONTROLS WHILE HE WAS HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER ADJUSTMENT OF THE THROTTLE CABLE.
Full Narrative
TO START THE ENG, THE PLT CHOCKED THE LEFT WHEEL & HAND PROPPED THE ACFT WITH THE THROTTLE SET AT IDLE. HOWEVER, AFTER THE ENG STARTED, ITS RPM WENT ABOVE IDLE & THE ACFT JUMPED THE CHOCK. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT COLLIDED WITH A PARKED ACFT & A RWY LIGHT BEFORE THE PLT CAUGHT THE PLANE & SHUT DOWN THE ENG. HE HAD PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON THE ENG EARLIER THAT DAY & HAD IMPROPERLY SECURED THE THROTTLE CLAMP, WHICH ALLOWED THE THROTTLE CABLE TO SLIP TO A HIGHER RPM SETTING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EDT
Nearest AirportSt Marys County (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftTaylorcraft BC-65
Tail NumberN24463
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn F Loftus
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65-8F · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO