# NTSB IAD05CA100: Taylorcraft BC12-D, N95822, Altoona, PA, July 10, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 10, 2005, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Altoona, PA - Coordinates: 40.296112, -78.319999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2961&lon=-78.3200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 61935 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD05CA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61935/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD05CA100 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper engine starting procedure, resulting in an uncontrolled taxi, and collision with a hangar. ## 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) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - hangar/airport building ## Analysis 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." ## Factual narrative 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." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95822](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N95822-2018-02-12), registration cancelled 2018-02-12, S/N 8122, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Taylorcraft BC12-D - Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8122 - Engines: Continental A65-8 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AOO, Altoona, PA - Destination: FRR, Front Royal, VA - Airport: AOO, Altoona-Blair County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 422 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20050710018379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050710018379A), Jul 10, 2005: Tcraft BC12D, Altoona, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The a/c got loose from the pilot during an attempt to hand-prop the engine. The aircraft struck N9097U/P28A parked on the ramp. The pilot was struck by… 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.