Piper PA-18A 150 N518SW
27 February 2024 · Dallesport, Washington, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 27 February 2024 at about 17:30 local time, a Piper PA-18A 150 registered N518SW was involved in an accident near Dallesport, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Dallesport, Washington, United States
- Nearest airport
- Columbia Gorge Rgnl/the Dalles (DLS)
- Coordinates
- 45.6185, -121.1672
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-18A 150
- Registration
- N518SW
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1955
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Minor
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- WPR24LA099
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to disengage the ignition prior to moving the propeller by hand resulting in the inadvertent starting of the engine.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot stated that he was preparing to fly the airplane with a new propeller that had been recently installed. During a few recent experiences, the propeller would get stuck at top dead center and would only turn normally after multiple start attempts. On the day of the accident, the propeller was stuck at top dead center again after an unsuccessful attempt to start the engine. The pilot walked to the front of the airplane and stood on one of the floats to reposition the propeller, at which time the engine started up immediately and the pilot was struck by one of the propeller blades. According to the airport manager who arrived several minutes after the accident, he observed the ignition switch in the ON position. The pilot further remarked that he must have forgotten to turn off the magnetos before he moved the propeller. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Piper PA-18A accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Sep 2024 | Piper PA-18A 150 | Denali, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jan 2024 | Piper PA-18A 150 | Eden, Oregon, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 23 May 2025 | Piper PA-18A 150 | Susitna, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 29 Dec 2023 | Piper PA-18A 150 | Vermillion, South Dakota, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Apr 2023 | Piper PA-18A 150 | Garrison, Missouri, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Jun 2022 | Piper PA-18A | Charlestown, New Hampshire, United States | High Wind Aviation Services LLC | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Apr 2024 | Cessna P210N | Auburn, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 7 Jun 2024 | Beechcraft A45 | Deer Harbor, Washington, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 8 Jun 2024 | David Fisher MURPHY MOOSE | Ocean Shores, Washington, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Sep 2024 | Boeing A75L3 | Yacolt, Washington, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 17 Feb 2024 | Cessna 150M | Everett, Washington, United States | Puget Sound Flyers Inc | No injuries | - |
| 1 Sep 2024 | Thompson Ryan L THOMPSON CRAFT | Port Angeles, Washington, United States | - | No injuries | - |