# NTSB LAX07CA282: Piper J5A, N38234, Turlock, CA, September 29, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2007, 09:56 local (16:56 UTC)
- Place: Turlock, CA
- Coordinates: 37.4838888888889, -120.697222222222
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4839&lon=-120.6972&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66794
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA282
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66794/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA282

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly and adequately tie down the airplane during the engine start operation.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,aircraft tie-down(s) - not engaged (cause)
  - tie down - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot turned off the fuel selector prior to starting the engine and he forgot to turn it back on during taxi for takeoff.  The engine lost all power and stopped.  The airplane was not equipped with a starter.  When the pilot hand propped the engine for a restart the airplane was not securely tied down, and the throttle was not at idle.  The engine started and revved up.  The pilot attempted to restrain the airplane by holding on to it, and he was injured in that endeavor.  The unoccupied airplane became airborne and climbed about 200 feet above the ground.  Thereafter, it banked right and descended into a corn field next to the airport.

## Factual narrative

On September 29, 2007, about 0956 Pacific daylight time, a Piper J5A, N38234, descended into a field near the Turlock Municipal Airport, Turlock, California.  The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The private pilot sustained minor injuries during the planned personal flight that was to have been performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had turned off the fuel selector prior to starting the engine, and he forgot to turn it back on during taxi for takeoff.  The engine lost all power and stopped.  The airplane was not equipped with a starter.  When the pilot hand propped the engine the airplane was not securely tied down, and the throttle was not at idle.  The engine started and revved up.  The pilot attempted to restrain the airplane by holding onto it, and he sustained injuries in that endeavor.

The airplane became airborne with no one inside, and it climbed about 200 feet above the ground.  After a few seconds it banked right and descended into a corn field next to the airport.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N38234](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N38234-2010-04-05), registration cancelled 2010-04-05, S/N 5-917, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper J5A
- Registry model: [Piper J5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j5a) (registry code 7100702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5-917
- Engines: Continental C90-8F reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Art L. Delano
- Registered owner: Art L. Delano
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: O15, Turlock, CA
- Destination: O27, Oakdale, CA
- Airport: O15, Turlock Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,820 total, 240 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 20070929021659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070929021659A), Sep 29, 2007: Piper J5A, Turlock, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) According to the pilot and witnesses, the following are the events that occurred resulting in this accident. The aircraft's engine stopped at the end of…

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.

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