# Accident 20170927014189A: Piper J5A, Geneseo, NY, September 27, 2017

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 27, 2017, 14:00 local time
- Place: Geneseo, NY
- Airport: Geneseo
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 42.7986° N, 77.8425° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7986&lon=-77.8425&mi=10
- Aircraft: N38633, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38633) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper J5A (registry code 7100702, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-200 series (registry code 17020, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J5A
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-200 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 189 total, 10 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA560) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170927014189A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 ^MR. BONNEAU^ LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT HE WAS HAND PROPPING. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNRESTRAINED EXCEPT FOR THE ASSISTANT (WHO IS NOT AN AIRMAN) HE HAD POSTED IN FRONT OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE THROTTLE SETTING WAS TOO FAR ADVANCED, AND AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED, IT DEVELOPED ENOUGH POWER FOR THE AIRCRAFT TO OVERCOME THE ASSISTANT LOCATED AT THE TAIL. THE AIRMAN HAND PROPPING THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE COCKPIT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN TRAVELED ON THE GROUND, UNOCCUPIED FOR APPROXIMATELY 400' MAKING 360 DEGREE TURNS UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH A MOTORIZED WORK PLATFORM STATIONED NEAR A STATIC DISPLAY AIRCRAFT. AT THIS POINT THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST AFTER SUSTAINING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE ASSISTANT WAS SWEPT OFF HIS FEET BY THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT, AND WAS RELAIVELY UNHURT. THE AIRMAN SUSTAINED A DISLOCATED SHOULDER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA17CA560](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA560), Sep 27, 2017: Piper J5A (N38633), Geneseo, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before a hand propeller start, which resulted in the airplane moving forward and colliding with maintenance equipment.

## Other reports on N38633 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19910114000529I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910114000529I), Jan 14, 1991: Piper J5A (N38633), Broadalbin, NY, Minor damage. Left ski struck a snowdrift while taxiing on lake. Tail rose and right wing tip hit ice.
- [Accident 19760711018589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19760711018589A), Jul 11, 1976: Piper J5A (N38633), Camden, ME, Substantial damage. Fuselage tank empty,wing tank held a trace and fuel strainer bowl was empty.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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