Aviation Crash Map

Piper PA-28-181 N3072H

6 April 1991 · West Branch, Michigan, United States · Serious injuries

Summary

On 6 April 1991 at about 21:00 local time, a Piper PA-28-181 registered N3072H, operated by Pontiac Aviation, Inc., was involved in an accident near West Branch, Michigan, United States. 3 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

The record

Date
at 21:00
Classification
Accident
Location
West Branch, Michigan, United States
Nearest airport
West Branch Community (Y31)
Coordinates
44.2696, -84.2304
Aircraft
Piper PA-28-181
Registration
N3072H
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Pontiac Aviation, Inc.
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Not recorded
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
CHI91LA127

People

1 person was seriously injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
3 0 1 0 2

Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO FOLLOW RECOMMEDED STARTING PROCEDURES/DIRECTIVES AND PRECAUTIONS.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO START THE AIRPLANE ENGINE NORMALLY, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO HAND-PROP START THE ENGINE. THE TWO NON-PILOT RELATED PASSENGERS OBSERVED THE PILOT AS HE TURNED THE PROPELLER THROUGH THREE TO FOUR TIMES ON ONE SIDE, THEN WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE. THEY STOPPED WATCHING FOR A MOMENT, AND WHEN THEY LOOKED BACK THE PILOT WAS ON THE GROUND. THE PILOT HAD BEEN STRUCK IN THE HEAD BY THE PROPELLER.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other Piper PA-28 accidents

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
25 Apr 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N95406
Hibbing, Minnesota, United States WM. & Audrey Svigel Minor injuries -
22 Oct 1991 Piper PA-28
N4616R
Berryville, Arkansas, United States Snider, Richard D. Minor injuries -
18 Nov 1991 Piper PA-28-161
N9811C
Greeley, Colorado, United States
no coordinates
P.c. Flyers No injuries -
14 Jul 1991 Piper PA-28-180
N7191W
Old Bridge, New Jersey, United States
no coordinates
Martin Sade No injuries -
27 Jan 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N610FL
Titusville, Florida, United States Achord, Marvin L. Minor injuries -
21 Dec 1991 Piper PA-28-140
N455FL
Yuma, Colorado, United States Aero Training of the Rockies No injuries -

All 9,402 records for this type

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
25 Apr 1991 Cessna 172
N66717
Detroit, Michigan, United States
no coordinates
Eximous Flying Club, Inc. No injuries -
5 May 1991 Robinson R22 BETA
N2360K
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Lutz, Robert A Minor injuries -
10 May 1991 Cessna 182L
N2432Q
Port Huron, Michigan, United States Douglas H. Mowat No injuries -
11 May 1991 Cessna 152
N69101
Pontiac, Michigan, United States Kitze Avaition, Inc. No injuries -
22 May 1991 Cessna 177
N548EC
New Lothrop, Michigan, United States Patrick J. Corcoran No injuries -
10 Oct 1991 Cessna 421B
N100CA
Battle Creek, Michigan, United States Aviation Specialist, Inc. No injuries -

All 170,864 records in United States