Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
THE INADVERTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE ENGINE IGNITION SYSTEM BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On November 25, 1994, at 1530 eastern standard time, a Bartholomew Firestar, N432JR, collided with trees during a forced landing in High Point, North Carolina. The commercial pilot had minor injuries, and the aircraft was substantially damaged. The homebuilt aircraft was operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight to Waxhaw, North Carolina. The flight originated in Greensboro, North Carolina, at 1450.
The pilot reported that the aircraft was in cruise flight, at 2,000 feet mean sea level, when he reached for a map. As he did this, he inadvertently switched off the ignition toggle switch. The engine quit, and he could not restart the engine in time to avert a forced landing. The aircraft collided with cedar trees during the landing, resulting in structural damage to the pilot cage.
An examination of the aircraft did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure, and none was reported by the pilot.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ATL95LA018