ALBUQUERQUE, NM, USA
N6034P
Piper PA-24-250
The aircraft was parked on the ramp and the pilot unsuccessfully attempted to start the airplane's engine due to the cold temperature. He exited the airplane to turn the propeller to loosen it without intending to start it. He neglected to turn off the magnetos. The engine started and the pilot was struck in the head and the right elbow by the propeller. According to an excerpt from the starting section of the 1959 PA-24-250 Airplane Flight Manual, 'When the engine is cold (under 40 degrees F.), prime three to five strokes; if extremely cold, pull the propeller through by hand four to six times before turning on the key ignition to 'left' and engaging the starter button.'
On January 9, 2000, approximately 1230 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-24-250, N6034P, registered to and operated by the pilot, was not damaged when the pilot was struck by the aircraft's propeller during engine startup at Coronado Airport, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The private pilot was seriously injured and the two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight was filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The intended destination was Mid Valley Airpark, Los Lunas, New Mexico. According to the pilot, he had planned a pleasure flight to Los Lunas with his wife and mother as passengers. With both of them seated in the aircraft while it was parked on the ramp, he attempted to start the engine but was unsuccessful. He stated that he had been having difficulty starting the engine due to the cold weather. He exited the airplane to "turn the propeller (not intending to start the engine but only to loosen the prop[eller]). [He] neglected to turn off the magnetos and therefore the engine started." The pilot was struck in the head and right elbow by the propeller. According to an excerpt from the starting section of the 1959 PA-24-250 Airplane Flight Manual, "When the engine is cold (under 40 degrees F.), prime three to five strokes; if extremely cold, pull the propeller through by hand four to six times before turning on the key ignition to 'left' and engaging the starter button."
The pilot's failure to comply with proper procedures for engine startup by failing to disengage the magneto prior to hand-turning the propeller.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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