# NTSB WPR11CA107: Piper PA-28R-201T, N3751U, Meadview, AZ, January 25, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 25, 2011, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC) - Place: Meadview, AZ - Coordinates: 36.093055, -114.046669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0931&lon=-114.0467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78217 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11CA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78217/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78217 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA107 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane while manually starting the engine with the propeller, resulting in inadvertent movement of the airplane and collision with the ground. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 137 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02060000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28R-201T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=7102813), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had shutdown the engine on a remote dirt airport to inspect the tires before takeoff. When he attempted to restart the engine the battery was insufficiently charged and would not start the engine. The pilot decided to attempt to start the engine by hand propping it. He set the throttle, brake, and turned the magnetos to on. The pilot used a hand-prop method to attempt to start the engine. The engine ultimately started but accelerated before the pilot could enter the airplane, first hitting a berm and then continuing over a cliff. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he had shutdown the engine on a remote dirt airport to inspect the tires before takeoff. When he attempted to restart the engine the battery was insufficiently charged, and would not start the engine. The pilot decided to attempt to start the engine by hand propping it. He set the throttle, the brake, and turned the magnetos to on. The pilot used a hand-prop method to attempt to start the engine. The engine ultimately started but before the pilot could enter the airplane, it accelerated and went on an excursion first hitting a berm and then continuing over a cliff. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3751U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3751U-2014-11-24), registration cancelled 2014-11-24, S/N 28R-7703206 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28R-201T - Registry model: [Piper PA-28R-201T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-201t) (registry code 7102813) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28R-7703206 - Airframe hours: 2698 - Engines: Continental TSIO-360-FB 201 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 4, 2010, 9 hours before - Departed: BVU, Boulder City, NV - Destination: BVU, Boulder City, NV - Airport: L25, Pearce Ferry Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 14, 2011; flight hours: 268 total, 122 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: HND, 48 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 20110125000389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110125000389A), Jan 25, 2011: Piper PA-28R-201T, Meadview, AZ, Substantial damage. The pilot was unable to start the aircraft engine using the eletric starter and attempted to hand start the engine using the propeller. After several attempts… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78217. 971 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344226&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement of Investigation (item 2, .PDF, 638 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40344227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20of%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF 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.