# NTSB ATL95LA148: Piper PA-12, N3036M, N. Myrtle Beach, SC, July 26, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 26, 1995, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: N. Myrtle Beach, SC - Location: 33.8118° N, 78.7239° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at GRAND STRAND (CRE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8118&lon=-78.7239&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3606 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL95LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3606/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA148 ## Probable cause THE IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE USED BY THE PILOT IN THAT HE FAILED TO USE WHEEL CHOCKS TO PRECLUDE AIRCRAFT MOVEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE THROTTLE WAS NOT PLACED IN THE IDLE POSITION. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s) - terrain condition - ditch - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN STOPPED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY WHILE THE PILOT SWITCHED THE TOW HOOK TO CONTINUE HIS BANNER TOWING OPERATION. THE BANNER HANDLING PERSONNEL WERE ABOUT 1/4 MILE DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF STARTING THE ENGINE BY 'HAND PROPPING', BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRIC STARTING SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO CHOCKS IN THE AIRCRAFT TO 'BRAKE' THE WHEELS, AND THE THROTTLE WAS PARTIALLY ADVANCED. ONCE STARTED, THE AIRCRAFT TAXIED AWAY FROM HIM, AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH, RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 1995, about 1520 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N3036M, collided with a ditch, following a rapid engine acceleration, during hand starting by the pilot, at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by Barnstormers Flite Signs, Inc. under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. No flight plan was filed for the local banner tow operation. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot had stopped the airplane about 1/4 mile from the operator's banner handling personnel to change hooks. The operator stated that chocks should have been in the airplane to accommodate "hand propping," since the airplane is not equipped with an electrical/starting system. There were no chocks in the airplane at the time of the accident. The operator also stated that the throttle was not in the idle position, and when the engine started the airplane taxied away from the pilot and into a ditch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3036M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3036M), registered now, S/N 12-1581, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-1581 - Airframe hours: 4000 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Barnstormer Flite Signs, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 25, 1994, 7 hours before - Departed: CRE - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: CRE, Grand Strand ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 700 total, 75 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 12 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CRE ## 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 19950726021659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950726021659A), Jul 26, 1995: Piper PA12, North Myrtle Be, SC, Substantial damage. Started engine by hand propping. No tiedown or chocks. Throttle open. Aircraft ran into a ditch. ## Other investigations on N3036M (2) 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 ERA23LA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA356), Jul 31, 2023: Piper PA-12 (N3036M), Myrtle Beach, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. - [NTSB ERA09CA275](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA275), Apr 29, 2009: Piper PA-12 (N3036M), Georgetown, SC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the make and model airplane. 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.