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NTSB Report

January 31, 2006 · Interstate S-1A · N28315

Rocky Ford, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 31, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Rocky Ford, CO
Aircraft
Interstate S-1A
Tail Number
N28315
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN06LA037

The pilot opened the throttle 1/8-inch and hand-started the engine (starting the engine by turning the propeller by hand). A second person held onto the empennage. The engine started and the person holding the empennage "let go...to get a better grip." The pilot was unable to get into the cockpit so he grabbed the right wing's lift strut. The airplane started turning in circles to the right and collided with a storage building. Several wing ribs were broken and the leading edge was damaged. The lift strut, right landing gear, cowling, engine and propeller were also damaged. The pilot said he was unfamiliar with the airport and did not know where the tie downs were located until someone pointed them out.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to use tie downs before attempting to hand-start the engine. A contributing factor was his failure to seek adequate assistance.

Full Narrative

On January 31, 2006, approximately 1210 mountain standard time, an Interstate S-1A, N28315, registered to and operated by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a storage building while the engine was being hand-started at Melon Field (2V8), Rocky Ford, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal cross-country flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and a ground personnel were not injured. The flight was originating at the time and was destined for Canon City, Colorado. According to the pilot's accident report, he had opened the throttle 1/8-inch and hand-started the engine (starting the engine by turning the propeller by hand). A second person held onto the empennage. The engine started and the person holding the empennage "let go...to get a better grip." The pilot was unable to get into the cockpit so he grabbed the right wing lift strut. The airplane started turning in circles to the right and collided with a storage building. Several wing ribs were broken and the leading edge was damaged. The right landing gear, lift strut, cowling, engine and propeller were also damaged. The pilot said he was unfamiliar with the airport and did not know where the tie downs were until someone pointed them out.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 MST
Nearest AirportMelon Field (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftInterstate S-1A
Tail NumberN28315
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · A-65 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 14 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 25 C
Altimeter29.64 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data