# NTSB CHI97LA148: Piper PA-28-180, N8872J, Houghton, MI, May 25, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1997, 14:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Houghton, MI
- Coordinates: 47.110275, -88.559555 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1103&lon=-88.5596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA148

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper starting procedures and failure to set the parking brakes.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s)
  - parking brakes - not set, pilot in command (cause)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

The pilot decided to exit the airplane and pull the propeller through by hand because the engine starter motor would not engage.  The airplane was not chocked or tied down and the magneto switch was on.  The airplane started and began taxiing with two passengers in the rear seats.  The pilot was unable to get in the airplane prior to it striking another airplane which was parked on the ramp.

## Factual narrative

On May 25, 1997, at 1410 eastern daylight time (edt), a Piper PA- 28-180, N8872J, owned and operated by a private pilot, was substantially damaged after striking a parked airplane at the Houghton County Memorial Airport, Houghton, Michigan.  The pilot was hand propping the airplane when it started and taxied with two passengers on board.  The pilot and two passengers reported no injuries.  The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions.  No flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot's written statement, he attempted to start the engine but the starter motor would not engage.  The pilot exited the airplane and attempted to pull the propeller through by hand several times.  He then attempted to start the engine but still the starter motor would not engage.  He exited the airplane again to pull the propeller though by hand and this time the engine started.  The airplane began taxiing on the ramp with two passengers in the aft seats and no one at the controls.  The pilot was unable to board the airplane which consequently struck another airplane which was parked on the ramp.

Inspection of the airplane revealed that the it was not chocked or tied down and the magneto switch was in the on position.  The ramp area revealed no skid marks.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8872J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8872J), registered now, S/N 28-2844 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-180
- 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: 28-2844
- Airframe hours: 2618
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven Ray Miner
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1996, 36 hours before
- Departed: CMX
- Destination: CMX
- Airport: CMX, Houghton County Memorial

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 917 total, 600 in this make and model, 862 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMX

## 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 19970525011919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970525011919A), May 25, 1997: Piper PA28180, Hancock, MI, Substantial damage. Aircraft got away from pilot afte han propped to start, ran into another plane, that was tied down. (-23) the pilot hand proped the airplane, two pax in the…

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.