# NTSB CEN12CA032: Piper PA-28-235, N8746W, Radnor, OH, October 15, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 15, 2011, 09:05 local (13:05 UTC) - Place: Radnor, OH - Coordinates: 40.408054, -83.219444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4081&lon=-83.2194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Columbus FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82114 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA032 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82114/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82114 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA032 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly secure the engine controls prior to manually rotating the propeller, which led to an inadvertent engine start and runaway airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 51 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057600/cases.md) - [Parking/securing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=7102810), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was unable to start the engine using the cockpit's engine controls and he suspected that the starter drive gear was not engaging the propeller ring gear. He exited the airplane to rotate the propeller by hand in order to manually engage the starter's drive gear. As he rotated the propeller, the engine started and the unoccupied airplane proceeded across the airport, colliding with a hangar. The pilot reported that after the accident he found the airplane's ignition key was selected to one magneto instead of being in the full-off position. He also stated that he had left the mixture and throttle levers in the full-forward position and that he had not used the parking brake. The airplane's wings, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was unable to start the engine using the cockpit's engine controls. He suspected that the starter drive gear was not engaging the propeller ring gear. He exited the airplane to rotate the propeller by hand in order to manually engage the starter's drive gear to the propeller ring gear. As he rotated the propeller, the engine started and the unoccupied airplane proceeded across the airport, colliding with a hangar. The pilot reported that after the accident he found the airplane's ignition key was selected to one magneto instead of being in the full-off position. He also remarked that he had left the mixture and throttle levers in the full-forward position and that he had not used the parking brake. The airplane's wings, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and fuselage were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8746W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8746W-2017-06-15), registration cancelled 2017-06-15, S/N 28-10286, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-235 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235) (registry code 7102810) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-10286 - Airframe hours: 4064 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Duewest Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Duewest Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 14, 2010 - Departed: 5E9, Radnor, OH - Destination: KDLZ, Delaware, OH - Airport: 5E9, Packer Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 20, 2010; flight hours: 374 total, 249 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 13 knots, gusting 24 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: KDLZ, 9 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 20111015024909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111015024909A), Oct 15, 2011: Piper PA-28-235, Radnor, OH, Destroyed. After the aircraft failed to start, the pilot exited the aircraft and attempted to reposition the propeller by hand in order to manually engage the starter… ## Other investigations on N8746W (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 MKC66D0299](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC66D0299), Oct 23, 1965: Piper PA-28 (N8746W), Wichita, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82114. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 728 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356776&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation With Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356792&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20With%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Weather Reports (item 3, .PDF, 37 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF - Photo 01 - Accident Site Overview (item 4, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2001%20-%20Accident%20Site%20Overview-Master.PDF - Photo 02 - Accident Site Overview (item 5, .PDF, 106 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40356780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%2002%20-%20Accident%20Site%20Overview-Master.PDF 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.