Summary
On June 30, 2012, a Taylorcraft BC12-D (N96282) was involved in an accident near Camden, TN. 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 pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup.
The pilot reported that during engine start, he used small chocks around the tires and did not tie down the tail of the airplane. During his first attempt to hand-prop the engine, it did not start. He then advanced the throttle "very slightly." The engine subsequently started and as the pilot was moving to the cockpit, the rpm increased. The airplane taxied out of the small chocks, began turning in circles, and the pilot grabbed the right horizontal stabilizer. The airplane continued to circle, dragging the pilot, and struck a parked airplane before coming to rest. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The inspector noted substantial damage to the empennage.
This accident is documented in NTSB report ERA12CA430. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N96282.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot reported that during engine start, he used small chocks around the tires and did not tie down the tail of the airplane. During his first attempt to hand-prop the engine, it did not start. He then advanced the throttle "very slightly." The engine subsequently started and as the pilot was moving to the cockpit, the rpm increased. The airplane taxied out of the small chocks, began turning in circles, and the pilot grabbed the right horizontal stabilizer. The airplane continued to circle, dragging the pilot, and struck a parked airplane before coming to rest. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The inspector noted substantial damage to the empennage.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA12CA430