Summary
On April 28, 2001, a Aeronca 11AC (N86217) was involved in an accident near Greenville, SC. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The failure of the pilot to obtain the assistance of a person to act as a safety pilot while hand propping the engine with the airplane tied down. A factor in the accident was the failure of the tie down rope.
On April 28, 2001, about 1445 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, N86217, registered to a private individual, collided with trees after the engine started while hand propping the engine at the Greenville Downtown Airport, Greenville, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the intended 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. The unoccupied airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The annual inspection was overdue; the pilot had a ferry permit to fly the airplane to the place where the annual inspection was to be performed.
This accident is documented in NTSB report MIA01LA135. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N86217.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The failure of the pilot to obtain the assistance of a person to act as a safety pilot while hand propping the engine with the airplane tied down. A factor in the accident was the failure of the tie down rope.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On April 28, 2001, about 1445 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, N86217, registered to a private individual, collided with trees after the engine started while hand propping the engine at the Greenville Downtown Airport, Greenville, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the intended 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. The unoccupied airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The annual inspection was overdue; the pilot had a ferry permit to fly the airplane to the place where the annual inspection was to be performed. With the assistance of a safety pilot on board the airplane which was tied down, he was unable to start the engine. He left the airport and obtained "starter fluid" but when he returned there was no person around to act as a safety pilot. He rechecked the rope used to tied down the airplane and found it secure. He was able to start the engine with the aid of the starter fluid and when near the pilot's side door, the rope broke. He grabbed the lift strut but was unable to stop the airplane which was going in circles; there was no assistance from individuals on the ground. He released the lift strut, then some time later he grabbed the lift strut again and forced the airplane into trees.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA01LA135