WILLOW, AK, USA
N76680
CESSNA 140
THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO DEPART UNACCOMPANIED ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT FROM A PRIVATE DIRT AIRSTRIP AND BEGAN HAND-PROPPING HIS AIRPLANE. NO TIE-DOWNS WERE AVAILABLE AND A PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE. DURING THE PRE-START SEQUENCE, THE THROTTLE WAS POSITIONED NEAR WIDE OPEN. WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED, THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED AWAY FROM THE PILOT AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE AND FENCE.
On September 12, 1994, at 1905 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna model 140 airplane, N76680, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with objects on the ground shortly after the pilot hand started the plane's engine at the Deshka landing air strip located approximately 7 miles west of Willow, Alaska. The pilot was not injured and there were no passengers on board the plane. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot was hand prop starting the engine for the purpose of conducting a local pleasure flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and there was no flight plan in effect. During a telephone interview on the afternoon of September 13, 1994, the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that during the engine prestart sequence, he unintentionally left the throttle near wide open. He commenced to hand prop start the engine without wheel chocks in place. When the engine started, he was not able to enter the cockpit to arrest the plane's uncommanded travel. The plane collided with a three-wheeled recreation vehicle (RV) and two metal fence posts.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURES. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNAVAILABILITY OF A PARKING BRAKE AND TIEDOWNS TO SECURE THE AIRPLANE.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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