# NTSB ATL04LA074: Piper PA-28-161, N21266, Summerville, SC, February 7, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 7, 2004, 12:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Summerville, SC - Coordinates: 33.063331, -80.279441 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0633&lon=-80.2794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Columbia FSDO - 13 - NTSB case key (mKey): 58712 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58712/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA074 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate start procedure, which resulted in a run-away airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s) - starting procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, other - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis The pilot set the parking brake and attempted to start the airplane by rotating the propeller by hand. The airplane started and moved forward, and the pilot climbed up on the right wing to enter the cockpit but slipped and fell to the ground. The pilot grabbed onto the cabin step and was dragged as he attempted to gain access to the cockpit. When the pilot realized a collision with a parked airplane was imminent, he released his hold on the cabin step. The airplane taxied unmanned and collided with a parked airplane. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 2004, at 1245 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-161, N21266, registered to and operated by a private owner, taxied unmanned into a parked airplane at Summerville Airport, Summerville, South Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane and a parked airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight was originating from Summerville, South Carolina, at the time of the accident. The pilot was preparing for a flight to Columbia, South Carolina, to deliver the airplane for avionics maintenance. The pilot stated that when he engaged the starter, it made a spinning noise, and the airplane would not start. The pilot set the parking brake and attempted to start the airplane by rotating the propeller by hand. The airplane started and moved forward, and the pilot climbed up on the right wing to enter the cockpit but slipped and fell to the ground. The pilot grabbed onto the cabin step and was dragged as he attempted to gain access to the cockpit. When the pilot realized a collision with a parked airplane was imminent, he released his hold on the cabin step. The airplane taxied unmanned and collided with a parked airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right wing spar and propeller, and the parked airplane sustained damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N21266](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21266-2015-04-16), registration cancelled 2015-04-16, S/N 28-7916031, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-161 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-161](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-161) (registry code 7102803) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-7916031 - Airframe hours: 3157 - Engines: Aero Engines O-360-D3G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Johnny R Hoy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 21, 2003, 90 hours before - Departed: KDYB, Summerville, SC - Destination: KCAE, Columbia, SC - Airport: KDYB, Summerville, SC ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 27; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 375 total, 200 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KCHS, 16 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20040207000949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040207000949A), Feb 7, 2004: Piper PA28161, Summerville, SC, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot hand propped aircraft without any safety measures in place. Only the hand brake was set to hold aircraft from moving. Aircraft was unmanned during… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.