# NTSB NYC01LA165: Piper PA-12, N3042M, Plymouth, MA, July 3, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 3, 2001, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Plymouth, MA - Coordinates: 41.908889, -70.728614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9089&lon=-70.7286&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 4, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 52622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC01LA165 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52622/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC01LA165 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to ensure the magnetos were off prior to rotating the propeller, which resulted in an unintentional engine start and subsequent unmanned taxi. ## 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) - ignition system,magneto - not disengaged (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot attempted to start the airplane; however, the starter would not engage. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller. During the third rotation, the engine started, and the airplane began to roll forward. The airplane struck a parked, unoccupied aircraft before the pilot was able to shut down the engine. Examination of the airplane's magnetos, P-leads, and ignition switch did not revealed any abnormalities. The starter switch operated correctly; however, the starter motor gear would not thrust forward to engage the engine ring gear. The pilot stated he did not intend to start the airplane when he rotated the propeller, and in retrospect, he felt rushed and "probably forgot" to turn the magnetos to the "off" position, prior to exiting the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 3, 2001, about 1730 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N3042M, was substantially damaged during an unmanned taxi after engine start at the Plymouth Municipal Airport, (PYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight destined for the Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWM), Lawrence, Massachusetts. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he attempted to start the airplane; however, the starter would not engage. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller. During the third rotation, the engine started and the un-chocked airplane began to roll forward. The airplane struck a parked, unoccupied aircraft before the pilot was able to shut down the engine. Examination of the airplane's magnetos, P-leads, and ignition switch by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not revealed any abnormalities. It was noted that the starter switch operated correctly; however, the starter motor gear would not thrust forward to engage the engine ring gear. During a subsequent telephone interview, the pilot stated that he did not intend to start the airplane when he rotated the propeller, and in retrospect, he felt rushed and "probably forgot" to turn the magnetos to the "off" position, prior to exiting the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3042M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3042M), registered now, S/N 12-1734 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper PA-12 - Registry model: [Piper PA-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-12) (registry code 7101202) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12-1734 - Airframe hours: 2231 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Aviad Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2001, 15 hours before - Departed: PYM, Plymouth, MA - Destination: LWM, LAWRENCE, MA - Airport: PYM, Plymouth Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 23, 2000; flight hours: 1,200 total, 600 in this make and model, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: PYM ## 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 20010703017039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010703017039A), Jul 3, 2001: Piper PA12, Plymouth, MA, No damage. (-23) Pilot attempted to start aircraft. Bendix drive would not engage fly wheel of engine. Pilot decided to get out and spin the propeller to engage the… ## Other investigations on N3042M (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC92LA134](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92LA134), Aug 14, 1992: Piper PA-12 (N3042M), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION, AND HIS PREMATURE TOUCH DOWN. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DOWNDRAFT AND THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. 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.