# NTSB ERA13CA182: Piper PA-46-310P, Venice, FL, February 23, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 23, 2013, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Venice, FL - Coordinates: 27.071388, -82.440277 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.0714&lon=-82.4403&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 86521 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86521/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86521 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA182 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to secure the airplane before moving the propeller to assist the engine start. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Related operating info (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01010000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he attempted to start the engine while it was still warm. He noted that he used several throttle and mixture lever positions to try to start the engine but that the starter clutch would not engage and the engine would not start. The pilot turned off the master switch, but he inadvertently left the magneto switch in the ON position. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller to assist the engine start. As he started to walk back to re-enter the airplane, the propeller moved, and the engine started. The airplane moved forward, struck a taxiway light, and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he attempted to start the engine while it was still warm. He noted that the starter clutch was not engaging and utilized several throttle and mixture lever positions, but the engine would not start. The pilot turned off the master switch, but inadvertently left the magneto switch in the ON position. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller to assist the engine start. As he walked away to re-enter the airplane, the engine started. The airplane moved forward, struck a taxiway light, and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: C-GNEW (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-46-310P - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 46-8608029 - Airframe hours: 3648 - Engines: Continental Motors, Inc. TSIO-550-C1 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: 1478392 Alberta Ltd - Registered owner: 1478392 Alberta Ltd - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 2012 - Departed: VNC, Venice, FL - Destination: FL59, Fort Myers, FL - Airport: VNC, Venice Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private, foreign; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 17, 2012; flight hours: 1,748 total, 470 in this make and model, 1,395 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 10 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: VNC ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 23, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86521. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390306&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 27 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390279&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - VNC Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 378 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390304&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=VNC%20Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of damage to left wing (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20damage%20to%20left%20wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.