Piper J3C-65 N33818

Summary

On 20 June 2005 at about 19:00 local time, a Piper J3C-65 registered N33818 was involved in an accident near Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 June 2005 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Farmers Pride Airport (9N7)

Coordinates

40.4428, -76.4414

Aircraft

Piper J3C-65

Registration

N33818

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fredericksburg → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC05CA104

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper engine starting procedures, which resulted in the airplane taxiing unoccupied and impacting a light pole.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After landing, the pilot waited about 15 minutes, and then "wanted to see if the Cub would start when hot." He planned on hand propping the airplane, and then performing a short local flight. The pilot stated that "instead of getting help propping the Cub," he put a chock under the wheel, attempted to start the airplane, and proceeded to flood the engine. He then increased the throttle setting, turned the mags off, exited the airplane, and turned the propeller by hand, several times, to clear the engine. He then leaned inside the airplane to turn the mags back on; however, he did not retard the throttle. The airplane "jumped the chock," crossed a field, and impacted a light pole. Federal Aviation Administration publication, Preventing Accidents During Aircraft Ground Operations (FAA-P-8740-20), provided suggestions to aid in increasing the safety factor while hand starting airplanes. The publication stated, in part, "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without a qualified person at the cockpit controls. The person turning the propeller should be properly trained in the technique of hand cranking. If you have in mind to try hand propping by yourself - DON'T. If you must hand prop - get qualified help to position the engine controls and switches during the starting procedure. If hand propping can be avoided - DO."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.