# NTSB BFO96LA031: Bellanca BL14-19-3, N7624E, Toledo, OH, December 20, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 20, 1995, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Toledo, OH - Coordinates: 41.559875, -83.420921 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5599&lon=-83.4209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 17, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9122 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO96LA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9122/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO96LA031 ## Probable cause an improper splice of the magneto 'P' lead wires, and the pilot's improper positioning of the throttle and mixture controls while he rotated the propeller by hand. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s) - ignition system,magneto grounding lead (p-lead) - improper (cause) - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - vehicle ## Analysis 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.' ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7624E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7624E-1997-09-11), registration cancelled 1997-09-11, S/N 4126 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Bellanca BL14-19-3 - Registry model: [Bellanca 14-19-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-14-19-3) (registry code 3080106) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4126 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-F 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George T. Magill - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 14, 1995 - Departed: TDZ - Airport: TDZ, Metcalf Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 200 total, 125 in this make and model, 175 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 16 °F - Observed at: TOL ## 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 19951220042479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951220042479A), Dec 20, 1995: Blanca 14193, Toledo, OH, Destroyed. Hand rotated prop to loosen oil. Engine started aircraft hit parked vehicles. P lead line came off. Mags then hot. (-23) the pilot stated: that with both the… ## Other investigations on N7624E (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 CHI75FEC13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI75FEC13), Sep 15, 1974: Bellanca 14-19 (N7624E), Jackson, MI, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW67D0337](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67D0337), Nov 27, 1966: Bellanca 260 (N7624E), Miami, TX, 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.