Summary
On September 10, 2011, a American Champion Aircraft 8KCAB (N878AC) was involved in an incident near Leesburg, VA. 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 did not follow the engine start checklist.
The pilot stated that the airplane was in front of the hangar on the taxiway. He went through the normal pre-flight and engine start checklist. Prior to engine start, the mixture was set full rich, fuel pump set on for about 3 seconds (then off), then mixture full off, throttle at full open, and then the starter was engaged. The engine started and mixture was pushed full on. During startup, the engine went to full power, the aircraft pitched over onto the taxiway resulting in the propeller striking the ground and the airplane’s firewall incurring substantial damage. The engine was then secured and he exited the airplane uninjured. The airplane was place back onto its tail wheel and secured back into the hanger.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA11CA488. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N878AC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot did not follow the engine start checklist.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot stated that the airplane was in front of the hangar on the taxiway. He went through the normal pre-flight and engine start checklist. Prior to engine start, the mixture was set full rich, fuel pump set on for about 3 seconds (then off), then mixture full off, throttle at full open, and then the starter was engaged. The engine started and mixture was pushed full on. During startup, the engine went to full power, the aircraft pitched over onto the taxiway resulting in the propeller striking the ground and the airplane’s firewall incurring substantial damage. The engine was then secured and he exited the airplane uninjured. The airplane was place back onto its tail wheel and secured back into the hanger.
The pilot stated, after review of the situation, it was apparent that the starting checklist was not followed accurately in that the throttle should have been set to ½ inch open for starting instead of full open, and hand placed on the throttle immediately after the mixture control was pushed in to retard the throttle after the engine started.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA488