# NTSB NYC06CA225: Piper PA-25-180, N6319Z, Mount Holly, NJ, September 17, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 17, 2006, 13:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Mount Holly, NJ
- Coordinates: 39.942779, -74.845832
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9428&lon=-74.8458&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Philadelphia, PA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64586
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64586/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA225

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper starting procedure, which resulted in an uncontrolled taxi, and collision with a parked airplane.

## 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 - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

After loading his equipment bag in the front seat of the airplane, the pilot pressed on each wing lift strut to verify that the brakes were set and then attempted to hand start the engine. He was able to start the engine, however; it "immediately came to full power." He then attempted to reach the cockpit, but was unable. The airplane moved forward, and struck a parked airplane. Both airplanes were substantially damaged. The pilot believed that when he placed his bag in the airplane, it may have "pushed the throttle forward." According to FAA publication FAA-P-8740-20, "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without a qualified person at the cockpit controls."

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, after loading his equipment bag in the front of the Piper PA-25-180, he pressed on each wing lift strut to verify that the brakes were set and then attempted to hand start the engine. He was able to start the engine, however; it "immediately came to full power." He then attempted to reach the cockpit, but was unable. The airplane moved forward, and struck a parked airplane. Both airplanes were substantially damaged. The pilot believed that when he placed his bag in the airplane, it may have "pushed the throttle forward." According to FAA publication FAA-P-8740-20, "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without a qualified person at the cockpit controls."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6319Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6319Z), registered now, S/N 25-412, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-25-180
- Registry model: [Piper PA-25](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-25) (registry code 7102502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360-A1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-a1a) (registry code 41594, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25-412
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Banner tow, Part 91
- Registered owner: General Aerial Advertising Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Departed: VAY, Mount Holly, NJ
- Destination: 1N4, Woodbine, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 9,800 total, 6,800 in this make and model, 400 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observed at: VAY

## 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 20060917022659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060917022659A), Sep 17, 2006: Piper PA25, Mount Holly, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) The starter on N6319Z was inoperative. For some time, the pilot [privacy data omitted] hand propped his Piper PA-25-25 (s/n 25-412). When the aircraft…

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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