On February 27, 1986, a Beech C23 (registration N5150M) operated by Continental Industries, Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Elkhart, IN. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine starting unexpectedly during hand-propping due to the magneto switch being left on and fuel priming by a passenger, which led to the aircraft moving into a structure. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Cessna aircraft was destroyed after its engine unexpectedly restarted while a pilot was hand-propping the propeller, causing the plane to taxi into a hangar wall.
What happened
The pilot attempted to start the aircraft engine but was unable to initiate ignition. Consequently, the pilot exited the cockpit to manually rotate the propeller by hand. During this process, the magneto switch remained in the "both" position. While the pilot was pulling the propeller through, a passenger primed the engine fuel system. This action caused the engine to start unexpectedly while the pilot was holding the propeller.
The pilot attempted to stop the aircraft by holding onto the wing, but was unable to prevent movement. The aircraft began to taxi forward uncontrollably and collided with a hangar wall, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft.
Probable cause
The engine starting unexpectedly during hand-propping due to the magneto switch being left on and fuel priming by a passenger, which led to the aircraft moving into a structure.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 27 Feb 1986 Beech C23 accident near Elkhart, IN?
A Cessna aircraft was destroyed after its engine unexpectedly restarted while a pilot was hand-propping the propeller, causing the plane to taxi into a hangar wall.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 Feb 1986 involved a Beech C23, registration N5150M, operated by Continental Industries, Inc., at Elkhart, IN.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The engine starting unexpectedly during hand-propping due to the magneto switch being left on and fuel priming by a passenger, which led to the aircraft moving into a structure.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…