On April 30, 1993, a Macphee RV6 (registration N726WM) operated by William T. Macphee was involved in an aviation accident near Farmingdale, NJ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to properly manage the throttle during engine start, which resulted in high power development and a propeller strike. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempted to start the engine with the throttle fully forward, causing high power and a lurch that struck the propeller against the ramp.
What happened
The incident occurred while the pilot was preparing an aircraft for flight. During the attempt to start the engine, the pilot placed the throttle in the full forward position. Because the throttle remained open during ignition, the engine developed high power immediately upon starting. This sudden surge caused the airplane to lurch forward unexpectedly. The moving propeller struck the ramp surface, and the force of the movement caused the tail to slam onto the tailwheel, resulting in damage to the fuselage.
The investigation
Examination of the event revealed that the primary mechanical failure was not internal to the engine but rather a result of improper throttle management during the start sequence. The propeller sustained contact with the ground surface due to the uncontrolled forward motion of the aircraft.
Findings
The accident was caused by fuel control being left in the full forward position during engine start. This error led to propeller strike against the ramp and subsequent fuselage damage. The pilot failed to ensure the throttle was set correctly before initiating the start cycle.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly manage the throttle during engine start, which resulted in high power development and a propeller strike.