# NTSB NYC94LA051: Piper PA-28-140, N4487J, Falls Of Rough, KY, March 3, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 3, 1994, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Falls Of Rough, KY - Coordinates: 37.600955, -86.550361 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6010&lon=-86.5504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38731 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC94LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38731/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC94LA051 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE TIEDOWN AND STARTING PROCEDURE WHICH RESULTED IN A RUNAWAY AIRCRAFT, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH A BUILDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s) - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - starting procedure - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - building(nonresidential) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE WHEN IT STARTED AND THE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT TAXIED UNDER ITS OWN POWER AND STRUCK A BUILDING. THE PILOT'S FOUR-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, WAS THE SOLE OCCUPANT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THIS WAS THE PILOT'S FIRST TIME ATTEMPTING TO HANDPROP AN ENGINE. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT HE TIED DOWN THE TAIL AND SET THE BRAKES BEFOREHAND. HE TRIED ABOUT 20 TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE STARTED. AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED HE JUMPED ON THE RIGHT WING AND DRAGGED HIS FEET TO SLOW DOWN THE AIRPLANE. THIS SLOWED AND TURNED THE AIRPLANE TOWARD THE BUILDING. THE PILOT STATED THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF HE HAD PREVIOUS INSTRUCTIONS IN HAND PROPPING, AND IF A QUALIFIED PILOT IN TYPE AIRCRAFT WAS AT THE CONTROLS. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 1994, at 1415 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-140, N4487J, collided with a building during an unmanned taxi at Rough River State Park, Falls of Rough, Kentucky. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot and the passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. A flight plan had not been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was hand-propping the engine when it started and the unmanned aircraft taxied under it's own power and collided with a building. The right wing sheared off when the aircraft struck the building. There was also damage to the left wing and propeller. The passenger was the pilot's 4-year old daughter who occupied the right front seat. The pilot unsuccessfully tried to start the engine using the starter, but the propeller only rotated once. He pushed the airplane to a tie down spot, set the brakes, and tied down the tail. He then proceeded to hand-prop the engine. This was his first time ever hand-propping an engine. According to the pilot: After at least 20 times, I was going to give up (hand propping), but gave it one more hard pull. The engine started and seemed to be running fine. I walked around the right wing, but as I did I noted the airplane had begun to move. The door was blown shut by the prop wash and the aircraft accelerated rapidly toward the runway . . . I jumped on the right wing and drug my feet to slow the airplane. This slowed and turned the plane toward the wooden building. T In his response to how this accident could have been prevented, he reported: Never hand prop an airplane. It's too dangerous. (If you do decide to) be sure you have good prior instruction and know exactly what you are doing, and have a pilot qualifed in that type aircraft at the controls. Never place a child in the front seat of an aircraft with a stabilator. On impact, forward momentum forces the stabilator up, driving the yoke back into the child's head or face. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4487J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4487J-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 28-22905, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-22905 - Airframe hours: 5546 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E28 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas L Moore - Registered owner: Thomas L Moore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1993, 10 hours before - Airport: 213, Rough River State Park, runway 20, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 389 total, 254 in this make and model, 323 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg ## 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 19940303003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940303003519A), Mar 3, 1994: Piper PA28140, Falls Of Rough, KY, Substantial damage. Hand propped engine started. Aircraft jumped chock broke tether. Struck building. Child on board. Injured by yoke. 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.