# NTSB WPR21LA149: Luscombe 8A, N28461, Port Townsend, WA, March 29, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 29, 2021, 12:00 UTC - Place: Port Townsend, WA - Coordinates: 48.053806, -122.81063 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0538&lon=-122.8106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 102830 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102830/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102830 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA149 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate engine hand propping procedure which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement and subsequent impact with a fueling station. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after refueling his airplane, that was chocked, with the parking brake set, he attempted to hand prop the engine. After the engine started and while he was walking around the back of the airplane, the engine’s rpm began to increase, and the airplane began to pivot about 90° on the left wheel. When the airplane bypassed the wheel chock, it then rolled towards a fuel station. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted the fuel station, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing strut. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after refueling his airplane, that was chocked, with the parking brake set, he attempted to hand prop the engine. After the engine started and while he was walking around the back of the airplane, the engine’s rpm began to increase, and the airplane began to pivot about 90° on the left wheel. When the airplane bypassed the wheel chock, it then rolled towards a fuel station. Shortly thereafter, the airplane impacted the fuel station, which resulted in substantial damage to the right-wing strut. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3A, contains a section under the Ground Operations chapter titled "Hand Propping" which states in part: “It is critical that the procedure is never attempted alone. Hand propping should only be attempted when two properly trained people, both familiar and experienced with the airplane hand propping techniques, are available to perform the procedure.’ ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28461](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N28461), registered now, S/N 1328, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8A - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1328 - Year built: 1940 - Airframe hours: 4148.7 - Engines: Continental A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 26, 2020 - Departed: CLM, Port Angeles, WA - Destination: S50, Auburn, WA - Airport: 0S9, Jefferson County Intl - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2020; flight hours: 1,204 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,144 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KAWO, 27 nm away - METAR: KAWO 291856Z AUTO 32010KT 10SM BKN060 08/M03 A3035 RMK AO2 SLP282 T00781028 ## 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 20210329009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210329009319A), Mar 29, 2021: Luscombe 8A, Port Townsend, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot reported that, prior to intended flight after refueling, he attempted to start the airplane by hand propping the engine. When the airplane started, the… ## Other investigations on N28461 (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 SEA74DYE24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA74DYE24), Oct 17, 1973: Luscombe 8A (N28461), Auburn, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 1, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102830. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12452577&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_1%20completed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident pictures (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 449 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12453026&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR21LA149%20Accident%20Pictures-Rel.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.