The pilot reported that the Aeronca 65-CA does not have an electrical system and needed to be hand propped to start the engine.
There were no tire chocks or tie-down ropes on the ramp, so he asked for help from an individual at the airport in Deming, New Mexico, whom he believed was a pilot and said that he had experience with assisting in hand propping an airplane.
The pilot instructed the individual on the procedures and with the throttle set to 1/8 inch open, and the individual in the pilot’s seat, he then positioned himself in front of the airplane and spun the propeller.
The engine started as expected and immediately went to a high rpm setting. The airplane began forward movement under high rpm and speed and subsequently hit a light pole and airport hangar after the individual in the cockpit could not stop the airplane. Both wings were substantially damaged.
The pilot reported that after the collision, he found the throttle positioned to the full forward high rpm position instead of the idle position and that the individual reported that he went the wrong direction with the throttle.
Probable Cause: The occupant’s improper throttle movement during the start procedure, which resulted in forward movement and loss of airplane control.
NTSB Identification: 106654
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This December 2022 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
