# NTSB CHI92LA217: Piper PA-38-112, N9296T, Faribault, MN, November 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1991, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Faribault, MN
- Coordinates: 44.450489, -93.159477 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.4505&lon=-93.1595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA217

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURES AND THE PASSENGER'S INATTENTIVENESS.  A RELATED FACTOR IS THE PILOT'S LACK OF SUPERVISION.

## 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 (cause)
  - inattentive, passenger (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED HE AND A FRIEND WERE PREPARING THE PILOT'S AIRPLANE FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT.  THE AIRPLANE WAS DUG OUT OF A SNOW DRIFT. THE AIRPLANE'S BATTERY WAS TOO WEAK TO START THE ENGINE, AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO JUMP START THE AIRPLANE USING HIS CAR BATTERY. THE PILOT ENTERED THE COCKPIT TO START THE ENGINE AND THE (INTENDED) PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE AUTOMOBILE. ONCE THE AIRPLANE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER EMERGED FROM THE CAR, AND WAS STRUCK IN THE LEFT ARM BY THE PROPELLER AS HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE BATTERY CABLES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9296T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9296T-2008-03-18), registration cancelled 2008-03-18, S/N 38-78A0335, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78A0335
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Baron, James H.
- Registered owner: Baron, James H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FBL
- Destination: FBL
- Airport: FBL, Faribault Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 410 total, 225 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °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 19911110063099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911110063099A), Nov 10, 1991: Piper PA38112, Faribault, MN. Passenger struck by propeller wheel removing jump start battery cables.

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.

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