Summary
On February 23, 2013, a Piper PA-46-310P (C-GNEW) was involved in an incident near Venice, FL. 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 secure the airplane before moving the propeller to assist the engine start.
According to the pilot, he attempted to start the engine while it was still warm. He noted that the starter clutch was not engaging and utilized several throttle and mixture lever positions, but the engine would not start. The pilot turned off the master switch, but inadvertently left the magneto switch in the ON position. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller to assist the engine start. As he walked away to re-enter the airplane, the engine started. The airplane moved forward, struck a taxiway light, and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA13CA182. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft C-GNEW.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to secure the airplane before moving the propeller to assist the engine start.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, he attempted to start the engine while it was still warm. He noted that the starter clutch was not engaging and utilized several throttle and mixture lever positions, but the engine would not start. The pilot turned off the master switch, but inadvertently left the magneto switch in the ON position. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller to assist the engine start. As he walked away to re-enter the airplane, the engine started. The airplane moved forward, struck a taxiway light, and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA182