# NTSB CHI91LA127: Piper PA-28-181, N3072H, West Branch, MI, April 6, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1991, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: West Branch, MI
- Coordinates: 44.269645, -84.230361 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2696&lon=-84.2304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15038/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91LA127

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW RECOMMEDED STARTING PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES AND PRECAUTIONS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO START THE AIRPLANE ENGINE NORMALLY, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO HAND-PROP START THE ENGINE.  THE TWO NON-PILOT RELATED PASSENGERS OBSERVED THE PILOT AS HE TURNED THE PROPELLER THROUGH THREE TO FOUR TIMES ON ONE SIDE, THEN WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE.  THEY STOPPED WATCHING FOR A MOMENT, AND WHEN THEY LOOKED BACK THE PILOT WAS ON THE GROUND.  THE PILOT HAD BEEN STRUCK IN THE HEAD BY THE PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3072H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3072H), registered now, S/N 28-7990233, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-181
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-181](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-181) (registry code 7102807) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7990223
- Airframe hours: 1763
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pontiac Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Max A Million, Inc.
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1990, 65 hours before
- Airport: Y31, West Branch Community

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 130 total, 25 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19910406011979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910406011979A), Apr 6, 1991: Piper PA28181, West Branch, MI. Pilot was struck by propeller while hand propping engine.

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.