# NTSB DEN06LA037: Interstate S-1A, N28315, Rocky Ford, CO, January 31, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 31, 2006, 12:10 local (19:10 UTC) - Place: Rocky Ford, CO - Coordinates: 38.015277, -103.699165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0153&lon=-103.6992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 63177 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN06LA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63177/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN06LA037 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to use tie downs before attempting to hand-start the engine. A contributing factor was his failure to seek adequate assistance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller blast or jet exhaust/suction, standing - starting engine(s) - tie down - not used, pilot in command (cause) - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, other - object - hangar/airport building ## Analysis The pilot opened the throttle 1/8-inch and hand-started the engine (starting the engine by turning the propeller by hand). A second person held onto the empennage. The engine started and the person holding the empennage "let go...to get a better grip." The pilot was unable to get into the cockpit so he grabbed the right wing's lift strut. The airplane started turning in circles to the right and collided with a storage building. Several wing ribs were broken and the leading edge was damaged. The lift strut, right landing gear, cowling, engine and propeller were also damaged. The pilot said he was unfamiliar with the airport and did not know where the tie downs were located until someone pointed them out. ## Factual narrative On January 31, 2006, approximately 1210 mountain standard time, an Interstate S-1A, N28315, registered to and operated by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a storage building while the engine was being hand-started at Melon Field (2V8), Rocky Ford, Colorado. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal cross-country flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot and a ground personnel were not injured. The flight was originating at the time and was destined for Canon City, Colorado. According to the pilot's accident report, he had opened the throttle 1/8-inch and hand-started the engine (starting the engine by turning the propeller by hand). A second person held onto the empennage. The engine started and the person holding the empennage "let go...to get a better grip." The pilot was unable to get into the cockpit so he grabbed the right wing lift strut. The airplane started turning in circles to the right and collided with a storage building. Several wing ribs were broken and the leading edge was damaged. The right landing gear, lift strut, cowling, engine and propeller were also damaged. The pilot said he was unfamiliar with the airport and did not know where the tie downs were until someone pointed them out. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28315](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28315), registered now, S/N 7 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Interstate S-1A - Registry model: [Interstate S-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/interstate-s-1a) (registry code 1850202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7 - Airframe hours: 923 - Engines: Continental A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark E. Holloway - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2005 - Departed: 2V8, Rocky Ford, CO - Destination: 1V6, Canon City, CO - Airport: 2V8, Melon Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.64 inHg - Observed at: LHX, 11 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 20060131001599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060131001599A), Jan 31, 2006: Arctic S1AARCTIC, Rocky Ford, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC attempted to hand prop the engine. Another person assisted by holding on to the rail. Pilot stated a gust of wind startled the person holding 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.