Summary
On July 03, 2009, a Champion 7AC (N1397E) was involved in an incident near Westminster, MD. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to properly set the throttle for start.
The pilot stated that he attempted to start the engine by "hand-propping." The engine started briefly and then stopped. The pilot added that he then primed the engine but "forgot the throttle in the full open position." He hand-propped the engine again, and it started. The airplane began to accelerate forward and became airborne. The airplane flew down a ravine and collided into trees. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane had been tied down during the engine start.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA09CA386. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N1397E.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to properly set the throttle for start.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot stated that he attempted to start the engine by "hand-propping." The engine started briefly and then stopped. The pilot added that he then primed the engine but "forgot the throttle in the full open position." He hand-propped the engine again, and it started. The airplane began to accelerate forward and became airborne. The airplane flew down a ravine and collided into trees. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if the airplane had been tied down during the engine start.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA386