# NTSB FTW97LA026: Piper PA-28C-180, N9020J, Sterling, CO, October 24, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 1996, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Sterling, CO - Coordinates: 40.619579, -103.189437 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6196&lon=-103.1894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 1, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20102 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW97LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20102/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA026 ## Probable cause improper starting procedure used by the airport employee. Factors relating to the accident were: the inoperative starter, and failure of the pilot to seek proper assistance. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) not operating - engine accessories,engine starter - inoperative (contributing factor) - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - starting procedure - improper, airport personnel (cause) ## Analysis The pilot said she knew the starter was 'weak' because the engine had previously been started by turning the propeller by hand. When the pilot and her passenger prepared to depart, the engine would not start. An airport employee, who said 'it's been two or three years' since he had 'propped' an engine, offered to turn the propeller by hand. While hand-propping to start the engine, the propeller struck his head, inflicting a serious injury. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 1996, approximately 1615 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-28C-180, N9020J, was not damaged when a third party was struck by its propeller during an attempted start at Sterling, Colorado. The pilot and a passenger were not injured, but the third party sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the proposed personal flight to be conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the starter was "weak," and the engine was started by turning the propeller by hand prior to their departure from Fort Collins. After conducting business in Sterling, the pilot and her passenger returned to the airport and boarded the airplane with the intention of returning to Fort Collins. The starter would not engage when it was energized. Her passenger got out of the airplane with the intention of hand turning the propeller. An airport employee came out of the terminal building, and the passenger asked him if he had ever "propped" an engine. Reportedly, he replied, "It's been two or three years." The employee attempted to turn the propeller by hand. During the attempt to start the engine, the propeller struck his head, inflicting a serious injury. The victim was interviewed by telephone on November 13, 1996, after he had recovered from his injury. He could not recall any details of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9020J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9020J-2003-12-16), registration cancelled 2003-12-16, S/N 28-3048, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-28C-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: 28-3048 - Airframe hours: 5690 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: The Pilot Center - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 7, 1996, 21 hours before - Departed: STK - Destination: 3V5, FORT COLLINS, CO - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: STK, Crosson Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 102 total, 55 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AKO, 34 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 19961024033959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961024033959A), Oct 24, 1996: Piper PA28180, Sterling, CO. Aircraft propeller struck ground personnel in head during attempted hand prop start. ## Other investigations on N9020J (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 DEN03LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA021), Nov 27, 2002: Piper PA-28-180 (N9020J), Vernal, UT, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper in-flight planning/decision. Factors contributing to the accident were fuel exhaustion and the fog. 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.