Aeronca 65 CA N33778

Summary

On 17 June 2017 at about 17:30 local time, a Aeronca 65 CA registered N33778 was involved in an accident near Mount Vernon, Ohio, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 June 2017 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Mount Vernon, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Wynkoop Airport (6G4)

Coordinates

40.3653, -82.4953

Aircraft

Aeronca 65 CA

Registration

N33778

Category

Airplane

Year built

1941

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mount Vernon → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN17LA234

1 person died.

The pilot's improper starting procedure before hand propping the engine, and his subsequent attempt to stop the moving airplane, which resulted in him being struck by the propeller.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot prepared to hand-prop the airplane, which was not equipped with an electrical starter, by tying the tail down with a nylon rope. The pilot then hand-propped the engine, which started at a high power setting. The airplane moved forward, breaking the rope, and continued to taxi in circles. The pilot and another individual tried to stop the airplane; however, the propeller struck the pilot, resulting in fatal injuries. The airplane eventually came to stop farther down the runway.  Although the pilot attempted to secure the airplane by tying down the tail, the throttle was set at a high engine power setting, allowing the airplane's movement.  

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.