Summary
On March 12, 2015, a Cessna 170A (N170TW) was involved in an incident near Palmetto, FL. All 2 people 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 use the proper hand propping procedures, resulting in a runaway airplane.
The pilot and passenger were on a cross-country flight when the pilot noticed that the battery was no longer charging. After landing, the pilot decided to save battery power for the return flight by hand propping the airplane. He briefed the passenger for the hand start procedure, but did not realize the throttle was in the full throttle position. Upon starting, the engine went to full power. The pilot was unable to reenter the airplane before it made two tight left circles on the ramp and collided with an open hangar and the airplane inside.
Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge FAA-8037-3a contains a section titled, "Hand Propping", which indicates to never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA15CA008. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N170TW.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to use the proper hand propping procedures, resulting in a runaway airplane.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot and passenger were on a cross-country flight when the pilot noticed that the battery was no longer charging. After landing, the pilot decided to save battery power for the return flight by hand propping the airplane. He briefed the passenger for the hand start procedure, but did not realize the throttle was in the full throttle position. Upon starting, the engine went to full power. The pilot was unable to reenter the airplane before it made two tight left circles on the ramp and collided with an open hangar and the airplane inside.
Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge FAA-8037-3a contains a section titled, "Hand Propping", which indicates to never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The section also indicates that an additional precaution includes placement of chalks in front of the main tires or if not feasible, the airplane's tail may be securely tied.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA15CA008