Piper PA-12 N3042M

Summary

On 3 July 2001 at about 21:30 local time, a Piper PA-12 registered N3042M was involved in an accident near Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 July 2001 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States

Nearest airport

Plymouth Muni (PYM)

Coordinates

41.9089, -70.7286

Aircraft

Piper PA-12

Registration

N3042M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Plymouth → Lawrence

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC01LA165

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to ensure the magnetos were off prior to rotating the propeller, which resulted in an unintentional engine start and subsequent unmanned taxi.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted to start the airplane; however, the starter would not engage. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller. During the third rotation, the engine started, and the airplane began to roll forward. The airplane struck a parked, unoccupied aircraft before the pilot was able to shut down the engine. Examination of the airplane's magnetos, P-leads, and ignition switch did not revealed any abnormalities. The starter switch operated correctly; however, the starter motor gear would not thrust forward to engage the engine ring gear. The pilot stated he did not intend to start the airplane when he rotated the propeller, and in retrospect, he felt rushed and "probably forgot" to turn the magnetos to the "off" position, prior to exiting the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.