# NTSB CHI96LA092: Piper PA-28, N9793J, Larned, KS, February 17, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 16, 1996, 21:00 local (Feb 17, 1996, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Larned, KS
- Coordinates: 38.180152, -99.100425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1802&lon=-99.1004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA092
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10197/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA092

## Probable cause

Failure of the pilot to use adequate procedures for hand priming (hand propping) the engine.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground tie-down rope/strap - not used, pilot in command
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,wheel chocks - not installed
  - ignition system,magneto - engaged
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

The pilot noted that the battery power was low, so he decided to 'hand prime' the engine. The airplane was not chocked or tied down, and the mag switch was (inadvertently left) on. The engine started with no one in the airplane, and the airplane began moving (taxiing). Subsequently, it struck a parked airplane on the ramp and continued moving until it impacted the airport's windsock.

## Factual narrative

On February 16, 1996, at about 2100 central standard time (cst), a Piper PA-28, N9793J, owned and operated by a private pilot, was destroyed after striking several objects at the Larned-Pawnee County Airport, Larned, Kansas.  The pilot was hand propping the airplane when it started and taxied with no one on board.  The pilot reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was filed.

From the pilot's written statement he stated that the airplane had not been flown for some time so he decided to hand prime the engine due to low battery power.  The airplane was not chocked or tied down and the mag switch was positioned to the on position. The airplane started and began taxiing with no one board.  The pilot began steering the airplane using the wing tip as a control and avoided the gas pump but collided with another airplane on the ramp.  The airplane ran under the right wing of the other airplane and tore off the tail section of the airplane taxiing.  The airplane then taxied across the airfield and came to rest after impacting the windsock on the airfield.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9793J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9793J-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 28-3996, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (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: 28-3996
- Airframe hours: 3500
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Seltmann, Terry L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1995, 150 hours before
- Departed: LQR
- Airport: LQR, Larned-Pawnee County, runway 17, 3,559 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 125 total, 125 in this make and model, 94 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °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 19960216004419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960216004419A), Feb 16, 1996: Piper PA28180, Larned, KS, Destroyed. During hand propping engine started not secured taxied into parked aircraft and tore off empannage of runaway plane

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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