# NTSB GAA17CA560: Piper J5A, N38633, Geneseo, NY, September 27, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2017, 12:45 local (16:45 UTC) - Place: Geneseo, NY - Coordinates: 42.79861, -77.842498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7986&lon=-77.8425&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA/ FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 96102 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA560 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96102/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96102 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA560 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before a hand propeller start, which resulted in the airplane moving forward and colliding with maintenance equipment. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Parking/securing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: powerplant parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 81 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062050/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Piper J5A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/cases.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/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: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Piper J5A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7100702), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a hand propeller start, the tailwheel-equipped airplane was secured by having the passenger stand in front of the horizontal stabilizer. He added that, as he rotated the propeller with the throttle "cracked," the engine started, but "it ran fast enough" to break the passenger's hold. As the airplane began to move forward, he grabbed onto the lower right-wing strut in an attempt to enter the airplane. Subsequently, he let go, the left main landing gear ran over his shoulder, and the airplane stuck maintenance equipment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that the throttle was "cracked a little more than it should have been." He added that he did not use wheel chocks before attempting the start. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during a hand propeller start, the tailwheel-equipped airplane was secured by having the passenger stand in front of the horizontal stabilizer. He added that, as he rotated the propeller with the throttle "cracked", the engine started, but "it ran fast enough" to break the passenger's hold. As the airplane began to move forward, he grabbed onto the lower right-wing strut in an attempt to enter the airplane. Subsequently, he let go, the left main landing gear ran over his shoulder, and the airplane stuck maintenance equipment. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, the throttle was "cracked a little more than it should have been." He added that, he did not use wheel chocks before attempting the start. The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N38633](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N38633), registered now, S/N 5-1016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER J5A (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5-1016 - Year built: 1941 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: D52, Geneseo, NY - Destination: D52, Geneseo, NY - Airport: D52, Geneseo - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review September 11, 2017; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 189 total, 11 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: KDSV, 15 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 20170927014189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170927014189A), Sep 27, 2017: Piper J5A, Geneseo, NY, Substantial damage. On September 27, 2017 ^Mr. Bonneau^ lost control of the aircraft he was hand propping. The aircraft was unrestrained except for the assistant (who is not an… ## Other investigations on N38633 (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 NYC76FNC56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC76FNC56), Jul 11, 1976: Piper J5A (N38633), Camden, ME, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 13, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96102. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457931&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457932&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457933&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%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.