# NTSB MIA01LA135: Aeronca 11AC, N86217, Greenville, SC, April 28, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 28, 2001, 14:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Greenville, SC - Coordinates: 34.848056, -82.349998 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8481&lon=-82.3500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 27, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52166 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52166/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA135 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to obtain the assistance of a person to act as a safety pilot while hand propping the engine with the airplane tied down. A factor in the accident was the failure of the tie down rope. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - engine(s) operating - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - misc eqpt/furnishings,aircraft tie-down(s) - failure,total (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The annual inspection was overdue; the pilot had a ferry permit to fly the airplane to the place where the annual inspection was to be performed. With the assistance of a safety pilot on board the airplane which was tied down, he was unable to start the engine. He left the airport and obtained "starter fluid" but when he returned there was no person around to act as a safety pilot. He rechecked the rope used to tied down the airplane and found it secure. He was able to start the engine with the aid of the starter fluid and when near the pilot's side door, the rope broke. He grabbed the lift strut but was unable to stop the airplane which was going in circles; there was no assistance from individuals on the ground. He released the lift strut then some time later he grabbed the lift strut again and forced the airplane into trees. ## Factual narrative On April 28, 2001, about 1445 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 11AC, N86217, registered to a private individual, collided with trees after the engine started while hand propping the engine at the Greenville Downtown Airport, Greenville, South Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the intended 14 CFR Part 91 ferry flight. The unoccupied airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, sustained minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The annual inspection was overdue; the pilot had a ferry permit to fly the airplane to the place where the annual inspection was to be performed. With the assistance of a safety pilot on board the airplane which was tied down, he was unable to start the engine. He left the airport and obtained "starter fluid" but when he returned there was no person around to act as a safety pilot. He rechecked the rope used to tied down the airplane and found it secure. He was able to start the engine with the aid of the starter fluid and when near the pilot's side door, the rope broke. He grabbed the lift strut but was unable to stop the airplane which was going in circles; there was no assistance from individuals on the ground. He released the lift strut, then some time later he grabbed the lift strut again and forced the airplane into trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N86217](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N86217), registered now, S/N 11AC-21, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 11AC - Registry model: [Aeronca 11AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11ac) (registry code 0191102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11AC-21 - Airframe hours: 1267 - Engines: Continental A65-8F 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Ferry, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph T. Hinson, Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2000, 10 hours before - Departed: KGMU, Greenville, SC - Destination: KLKR, Lancaster, SC - Airport: KGMU, Greenville Downtown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 23, 2000; flight hours: 1,282 total, 3 in this make and model, 1,189 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KGMU ## 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 20010428008889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010428008889A), Apr 28, 2001: Bbavia 11AC, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. (-23)The pilot, Mr. Josph thomas hinson, attempted to start the aircraft engine by hand propping. Since the engine would not fire normally he used starting… 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.