# NTSB BFO96LA024: Cessna 210J, N3328S, Bellefontaine, OH, November 19, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 19, 1995, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Bellefontaine, OH - Coordinates: 40.359458, -83.750915 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3595&lon=-83.7509&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO96LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9116/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA024 ## Probable cause THE PILOT UNKNOWNLY LEFT THE IGNITION SWITCH IN RIGHT MAGNETO-ONLY POSITION, WHILE MOVING THE PROPELLER BY HAND, WHICH ALLOWED AN INADVERTENT START OF THE ENGINE. THE WEAK BATTERY WAS A RELATED FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s) - electrical system,battery - output low (contributing factor) - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command - starting procedure - inadvertent activation, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, other - object - aircraft parked/standing - object - hangar/airport building ## Analysis THE PILOT TRIED TO START THE AIRPLANE ENGINE 4 OR 5 TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. HE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S BATTERY WAS WEAK DUE TO INFREQUENT USE, AND HE DECIDED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND ROTATE THE PROPELLER THROUGH BY HAND. ALSO, HE STATED THAT HE WAS SURPRISED WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED AS HE ROTATED THE PROPELLER BY HAND. THE AIRPLANE MOVED ACROSS THE RAMP AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED AIRPLANE AND A HANGAR. POSTACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE KEY WAS STILL IN THE IGNITION, AND THE IGNITION WAS IN THE RIGHT MAGNETO-ONLY POSITION. NO AIRCRAFT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION/ANOMALY WAS FOUND. ## Factual narrative On November 19, 1995, about 1430 eastern standard time, a Cessna 210J, N3328S, inadvertently started while the pilot pulled the propeller through during the preflight inspection at Bellefontaine, Ohio. The airplane collided with a parked Beech C90; both airplanes sustained substantial damage. The one passenger (the sole airplane occupant) and the pilot (outside the airplane) reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the intended flight, no flight plan was filed. The local flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, and was originating when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that he followed the airplane checklist when he attempted to start the engine. He reported: "Due to the lack of use of this [Cessna 210], the battery system was somewhat weak....the electrical system and battery did not have enough power to cycle the engine over." He stated that he tried to start the engine about 4 or 5 times by using the starter, then "...stopped trying to start the engine. I turned the master to the off position and turned the [magneto] key to the far left position. I proceeded to get out of the cabin...I slowly rotated the [propeller] over center one time, and the engine fired, to my surprise." The pilot reported that when the engine fired, the airplane began to move forward. The pilot instructed the passenger to shut the engine off, then tried unsuccessfully to open the pilot's side door to assist with the shutdown. The passenger reported that he tried to apply the brakes, then tried to pull the mixture and the throttle, without success. The airplane progressed across the ramp without anyone handling the controls. It collided with a hangar and a parked airplane, then came to a stop. Postaccident examination revealed that the ignition key was in the right magneto only position. Further examination of the magneto ground and ignition system revealed no evidence of malfunction/anomaly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3328S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3328S-2012-02-13), registration cancelled 2012-02-13, S/N 21059128, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 210J - Registry model: [Cessna 210J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210j) (registry code 2073439) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21059128 - Airframe hours: 6184 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Midwest Corporate Air, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 27, 1995 - Departed: 7I7 - Destination: DAY, DAYTON, OH - Airport: 7I7, Bellefontaine ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 419 total, 39 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 19951119037599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951119037599A), Nov 19, 1995: Cessna 210J, Bellefontaine, OH, Substantial damage. Pulled prop thru prior start. Engine fired. Aircraft hit hangar parked aircraft. Mag switch was on right magneto. (-23) the pilot states he attempted to hand… ## Other investigations on N3328S (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 NYC75DNA24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75DNA24), May 23, 1975: Cessna 210J (N3328S), Marlborough, MA, substantial damage 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.