BFO96LA031

The pilot reported that due to the cold temperature, he decided to rotate the propeller by hand to facilitate the engine start. He stated that he '...checked the magneto [and] master switch to make certain they were off. I overlooked the throttle [and] mixture controls... .' When the pilot rotated the propeller, the engine started, and the airplane moved across the ramp and collided with parked vehicles. The pilot stated that the accident could have been avoided if the magneto 'P' lead wire was properly connected and if he had ensured that the mixture was lean and the throttle was closed. An FAA Inspector stated that a non-standard 'splicing' of the magneto 'P' lead wire connection '...may have had an intermittent connection to ground through the ignition switch,' causing '...either or both mags...to...have been on...irregardless of the ignition switch position.'

On December 20, 1995, at approximately 1500 eastern standard time, a Bellanca BL14-19-3, N7624E, sustained substantial damage when the engine inadvertently started after the pilot rotated the propeller by hand at Metcalf Field in Toledo, Ohio. The aircraft moved across the ramp and collided with four parked vehicles. The pilot (outside the aircraft) and the three year old passenger (in one of the rear seats) reported no injuries. A five year old passenger (also in a rear seat) received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight was to be flown under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that he was going for a pleasure ride, and "...due to cold temperature, I decided to pull the prop through a couple of times before trying to start it." The pilot reported that before he rotated the propeller, he checked the magneto and master switch to make certain they were off. He stated, "...I overlooked the throttle [and] mixture controls...I pulled the prop, [and] the engine started and developed nearly full power." The pilot reported that he tried to reach the door, "...but was bowled over by the wing." The airplane then travelled about 100 - 200 feet and struck parked cars.

The pilot reported that this accident would not have occurred if the 'P' lead had been properly connected, and that he "...should have made certain that the mixture was lean and the throttle retarded to prevent the engine from starting."

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector stated that the non-standard "splicing" of the magneto 'P' lead wire connection "...may have had an intermittent connection to ground through the ignition switch. Effectively, either or both mags could have been on, hot, irregardless of the ignition switch position." The FAA Inspector further stated that when the ignition switch was removed and tested no further ignition problems were encountered.