# NTSB FTW96LA086: Piper PA-28-160, N5505W, Decatur, TX, January 8, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 8, 1996, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Decatur, TX - Coordinates: 33.229187, -97.589912 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2292&lon=-97.5899&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19737 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19737/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA086 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to follow proper starting procedures, and an inadequate tie-down. ## 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 - improper, pilot in command (cause) - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - wind sock/indicator ## Analysis The pilot was hand-propping the airplane without a person at the controls. The airplane moved forward and the tie-down chain snapped. In an attempt to stop the airplane, the pilot jumped onto the left wing. Realizing that the wing was going to impact the windsock pole, the pilot jumped from the airplane, and the left main wheel struck the pilot. After traveling approximately 300 feet, the airplane came to rest with the left wing against the windsock. In his report, the pilot recommended having 'a qualified individual in the cockpit when attempting to prop an aircraft.' ## Factual narrative On January 8, 1996, at 1000 central standard time, a Piper PA-28-160, N5505W, struck a pole at the Decatur Municipal Airport, Decatur, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot received serious injuries and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private owner as a personal flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 with a planned destination of Fort Worth, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. On the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot reported that the tail of the airplane was secured with a tiedown chain. Without a person at the controls, the pilot hand propped the airplane. When the engine started, the airplane moved forward, and the "force on the tiedown chain snapped the chain." The airplane pivoted 90 degrees as the pilot maintained pressure on the left wing. After hopping onto the left wing in an attempt to reach the throttle, the pilot realized that the wing "was going to impact the windsock pole" and he jumped from the airplane. The left main wheel struck the pilot. After traveling approximately 300 feet, the airplane came to rest as the wing struck the windsock pole. On the Pilot/Operator report, the pilot recommended that "a qualified individual [be] in the cockpit when attempting to prop an aircraft." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5505W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5505W), registered now, S/N 28-592, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28-160 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160) (registry code 7102806) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-592 - Airframe hours: 2709 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Albert L. Roberts - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 27, 1995, 37 hours before - Departed: 8F7 - Destination: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX - Airport: 8F7, Decatur Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,390 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,346 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °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 19960108000279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960108000279A), Jan 8, 1996: Piper PA28160, Decatur, TX, Substantial damage. Tail tied down. Hand started engine. Broke tiedown. Pilot injured trying for throttle. Plane struck windsock pole. ## Other investigations on N5505W (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC76FCJ43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC76FCJ43), Jun 18, 1976: Piper PA-28 (N5505W), Kennard, NE, substantial damage 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.