# NTSB NYC01LA067: Rockwell 112A, N1307J, Norwood, MA, December 24, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 24, 2000, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Norwood, MA - Coordinates: 42.192501, -71.175834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1925&lon=-71.1758&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 23, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 51359 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA067 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/51359/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA067 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper starting procedure, which resulted in an on-ground collision with a parked aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s) - object - aircraft parked/standing - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While the pilot attempted to start the airplane's engine for flight, the starter gear did not engage. The pilot turned off the master switch and ignition key, and exited the airplane in an attempt to start the airplane by rotating the propeller. As the pilot rotated the propeller "a quarter turn," the engine started, and the airplane began to roll forward. The pilot ducked to his right and the airplane passed over him. The airplane continued forward and impacted the starboard fuel tip tank of a parked airplane, rotated to the right and impacted the parked airplane again before coming to rest. The pilot stated to officials that he had been "hand-propping" the airplane, when the engine suddenly started, and he did not set the parking brake, reduce the throttle, retard the fuel mixture to full lean, or tie the airplane down prior to attempting to rotate the propeller by hand. ## Factual narrative On December 24, 2000, about 1300 eastern standard time, a Rockwell 112A, N1307J, was substantially damaged after impacting a parked airplane while taxing unoccupied. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the planned personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was attempting to start the airplane's engine for flight. After several attempts, the starter gear did not engage. The pilot turned off the master switch and ignition key and exited the airplane in an attempt to start the airplane by rotating the propeller. As the pilot rotated the propeller "a quarter turn," the engine started and the airplane began to roll forward. The pilot ducked to his right and the airplane passed over him. The airplane continued forward and impacted the right fuel tip tank of a parked airplane, rotated to the right and impacted the parked airplane again before coming to rest. According to an airport official, the pilot stated that he had been "hand-propping" the airplane, when the engine suddenly started. The pilot additionally stated to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that he did not set the parking brake, reduce the throttle, retard the fuel mixture to full lean, or tie the airplane down prior to attempting to rotate the propeller by hand. Review of the Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3 revealed, "it is helpful if a pilot is familiar with the procedures and dangers involved in starting an engine by turning the propeller by hand (hand propping). Due to the associated hazards, this method of starting should be used only when absolutely necessary and when proper precautions have been taken. An engine must never be hand propped unless two people, both familiar with the airplane and hand propping techniques, are available to perform the procedure. The person pulling the propeller blades through directs all activity and is in charge of the procedure. The other person, thoroughly familiar with the controls, must be seated in the airplane with the brakes set. As an additional precaution, chocks should be placed in front of the main wheels. If this is not feasible, the airplane's tail should be securely tied down. Never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The procedure should never be attempted alone." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1307J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1307J-2009-04-29), registration cancelled 2009-04-29, S/N 307, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rockwell 112A - Registry model: [Rockwell International 112A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112a) (registry code 7630302) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 307 - Airframe hours: 2764 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Spike Air - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2000, 280 hours before - Departed: OWD, Norwood, MA - Destination: BID, Block Island, RI - Airport: OWD, Norwood Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 19, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 535 total, 450 in this make and model, 19 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 10 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: OWD ## 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 20001224027749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001224027749A), Dec 24, 2000: Gulstm 112A, Norwood, MA, No damage. (-23)The pilot stated he attempted to start the a/c's engine for flight and after several attempts the starter gear did not engage, the pilot further stated he… 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.