# NTSB NYC05CA104: Piper J3C-65, N33818, Fredericksburg, PA, June 20, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 20, 2005, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Fredericksburg, PA - Coordinates: 40.442779, -76.44139 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4428&lon=-76.4414&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: HAR FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61783 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61783/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA104 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper engine starting procedures, which resulted in the airplane taxiing unoccupied and impacting a light pole. ## 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 - pole ## Analysis After landing, the pilot waited about 15 minutes, and then "wanted to see if the Cub would start when hot." He planned on hand propping the airplane, and then performing a short local flight. The pilot stated that "instead of getting help propping the Cub," he put a chock under the wheel, attempted to start the airplane, and proceeded to flood the engine. He then increased the throttle setting, turned the mags off, exited the airplane, and turned the propeller by hand, several times, to clear the engine. He then leaned inside the airplane to turn the mags back on; however, he did not retard the throttle. The airplane "jumped the chock," crossed a field, and impacted a light pole. 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. The person turning the propeller should be properly trained in the technique of hand cranking. If you have in mind to try hand propping by yourself - DON'T. If you must hand prop - get qualified help to position the engine controls and switches during the starting procedure. If hand propping can be avoided - DO." ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2005, at 1500 eastern daylight time, a Piper J3C-65, N33818, was substantially damaged after impacting a light pole, while taxiing unoccupied, at the Farmers Pride Airport (9N7), Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania. The certificated airline transport 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, after he landed at 9N7, he waited about 15 minutes, and then "wanted to see if the Cub would start when hot." He planned to hand prop the airplane and then perform a short local flight. The pilot stated that "instead of getting help propping the Cub," he put a chock under the wheel, attempted to start the airplane, and proceeded to flood the engine. He then increased the throttle setting, turned the mags off, exited the airplane, and turned the propeller, by hand, several times, to clear the engine. He leaned inside the airplane to turn the mags back on; however, he did not retard the throttle. The airplane "jumped the chock," crossed a field, and impacted a light pole. 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. The person turning the propeller should be properly trained in the technique of hand cranking. If you have in mind to try hand propping by yourself - DON'T. If you must hand prop - get qualified help to position the engine controls and switches during the starting procedure. If hand propping can be avoided - DO." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N33818](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N33818), registered now, S/N 5988, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Piper J3C-65 - Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5988 - Airframe hours: 2500 - Engines: Continental A&C 65 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ronald Snyder - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2004, 50 hours before - Departed: 9N7, Fredericksburg, PA - Airport: 9N7, Farmers Pride Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2004; flight hours: 24,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 21,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: MUI, 6 nm away ## 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 20050620012159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050620012159A), Jun 20, 2005: Piper J3C65, Fredericksburg, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] hand propped his airplane without the assistance of a second person. This action resulted in the aircraft 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.