N3036M 1995 Crash Report
N3036M 1995 Crash Report
N3036M 1995 Crash Report
Date & Time: July 26, 1995, 15:20 Local Registration: N3036M
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Other work use
Analysis
THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN STOPPED ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY WHILE THE PILOT
SWITCHED THE TOW HOOK TO CONTINUE HIS BANNER TOWING OPERATION. THE BANNER
HANDLING PERSONNEL WERE ABOUT 1/4 MILE DOWN THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT WAS IN
THE PROCESS OF STARTING THE ENGINE BY 'HAND PROPPING', BECAUSE THE AIRPLANE
WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRIC STARTING SYSTEM. THERE WERE NO CHOCKS IN
THE AIRCRAFT TO 'BRAKE' THE WHEELS, AND THE THROTTLE WAS PARTIALLY ADVANCED.
ONCE STARTED, THE AIRCRAFT TAXIED AWAY FROM HIM, AND COLLIDED WITH A DITCH,
RESULTING IN SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.
Findings
Occurrence #1: ON GROUND/WATER COLLISION WITH OBJECT
Phase of Operation: STANDING - STARTING ENGINE(S)
Findings
1. TERRAIN CONDITION - DITCH
Page 1 of 5
2. (C) STARTING PROCEDURE - IMPROPER - PILOT IN COMMAND
Page 2 of 5 ATL95LA148
Factual Information
On July 26, 1995, about 1520 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-12, N3036M, collided with a
ditch, following a rapid engine acceleration, during hand starting by the pilot, at North Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina. The airplane was operated by Barnstormers Flite Signs, Inc. under the
provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. No flight plan was filed for the local
banner tow operation. There were no injuries to the commercial pilot, and the airplane was
substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot had stopped the airplane about 1/4 mile from the operator's banner handling
personnel to change hooks. The operator stated that chocks should have been in the airplane
to accommodate "hand propping," since the airplane is not equipped with an electrical/starting
system. There were no chocks in the airplane at the time of the accident. The operator also
stated that the throttle was not in the idle position, and when the engine started the airplane
taxied away from the pilot and into a ditch.
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial Age: 26,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine Seat Occupied: Center
land
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Valid Medical--no Last FAA Medical Exam: July 12, 1995
waivers/lim.
Occupational Pilot: UNK Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 700 hours (Total, all aircraft), 75 hours (Total, this make and model)
Page 3 of 5 ATL95LA148
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: PIPER Registration: N3036M
Model/Series: PA-12 PA-12 Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Restricted (Special) Serial Number: 12-1581
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 25, 1994 100 hour Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1750 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 7 Hrs Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4000 Hrs Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Engine Model/Series: O-320-A
Registered Owner: Rated Power: 150 Horsepower
Operator: Operating Certificate(s) None
Held:
Operator Does Business As: Operator Designator Code:
Page 4 of 5 ATL95LA148
Airport Information
Airport: GRAND STRAND CRE Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 33 ft msl Runway Surface Condition:
Runway Used: 0 IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5996 ft / 100 ft VFR Approach/Landing: None
Administrative Information
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Hicks, Preston
Additional Participating Persons: DAVE SEXTON; S. COLUMBIA , SC
Original Publish Date: February 14, 1996
Note:
Investigation Docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=3606
Page 5 of 5 ATL95LA148