# NTSB WPR24LA099: Piper PA-18A 150, N518SW, Dallesport, WA, February 27, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: February 27, 2024, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Dallesport, WA - Coordinates: 45.618529, -121.16719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6185&lon=-121.1672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 193877 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193877/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193877 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA099 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to disengage the ignition prior to moving the propeller by hand resulting in the inadvertent starting of the engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) - [Ignition system: switching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430/cases.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057430/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: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-18A 150, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md?model=7101837), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was preparing to fly the airplane with a new propeller that had been recently installed. During a few recent experiences, the propeller would get stuck at top dead center and would only turn normally after multiple start attempts. On the day of the accident, the propeller was stuck at top dead center again after an unsuccessful attempt to start the engine. The pilot walked to the front of the airplane and stood on one of the floats to reposition the propeller, at which time the engine started up immediately and the pilot was struck by one of the propeller blades. According to the airport manager who arrived several minutes after the accident, he observed the ignition switch in the ON position. The pilot further remarked that he must have forgotten to turn off the magnetos before he moved the propeller. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N518SW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N518SW), registered now, S/N 18-4389, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-18A 150 - Registry model: [Piper PA-18A 150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-18a-150) (registry code 7101837) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18-4389 - Year built: 1955 - Airframe hours: 715 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4P 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 2023, 63 hours before - Airport: DLS, Columbia Gorge Rgnl/The Dalles Muni - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 10, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 194 total, 78 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KDLS - METAR: METAR KDLS 271653Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT055 OVC075 06/M01 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP192 T00561006 $= ## 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 20240227002949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240227002949A), Feb 27, 2024: Piper PA-18A 150, The Dalles, OR, Minor damage. Pilot was moving propeller by hand when the engine apparently started momentarily, striking the pilot who suffered serious injuries to his arm. The airman was… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 24, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193877. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16883970&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-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.