IAD05CA100

The pilot requested that an airport lineman assist him in hand starting his airplane. The lineman was informed of the starting procedure, and held onto the tail of the airplane while the pilot attempted to start the airplane several times. The airplane's engine eventually started and dragged both the pilot and the lineman for a time, before they both released their grip. The airplane subsequently struck another parked airplane, and came to rest after impacting a hangar. According to the pilot, he had set the throttle too high prior to the engine starting. According to FAA publication FAA-P-8740-20, "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without a qualified person at the cockpit controls."

On July 10, 2005, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95822, was substantially damaged during an uncontrolled taxi at Altoona-Blair County Airport (AOO), Altoona, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot/owner received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight, destined for Front Royal-Warren County Airport (FRR), Front Royal, Virginia.

According to the pilot, he landed at Altoona for a planned fuel stop, while on a return cross-country trip to his home base of Front Royal. Because the airplane was not equipped with an electrical system, the engine needed to be hand propped. The pilot originally intended to tie down the tailwheel of the airplane, but could not locate one, so he solicited a lineman to assist him by holding onto the tail of the airplane. He then briefed the lineman on the starting procedure, and attempted to start the engine.

After several unsuccessful attempts, the pilot turned off the magneto switch, opened the throttle, and rotated the propeller several times to remove excess fuel from the system. He then returned to the cockpit, and continued with his engine starting checklist.

After rotating the propeller again, the engine started "with a roar," and the airplane began to move. The pilot stepped aside, and grabbed the right wing strut in an attempt to stop the airplane. He subsequently lost his footing, was dragged across the ramp for a time, then released his grip. The right wing of the airplane then struck the vertical stabilizer of a parked airplane, and eventually impacted a hangar, stopping the engine.

According to a written statement submitted by the lineman, he was told that when the engine started, he would feel a "light push." The engine eventually started, and the airplane "started to spin wildly out of control." After several revolutions, the right wing of the airplane impacted another parked airplane, and the lineman released his grip.

The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies with the airplane, and stated that the likely cause of the accident was his "setting the throttle too high for a normal start."

Federal Aviation Administration publication, Preventing Accidents During Aircraft Ground Operations (FAA-P-8740-20), provided suggestions to aid in increasing the safety factor while hand starting airplanes. The publication stated, in part, "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without a qualified person at the cockpit controls."