On October 24, 1996, a Piper PA-28C-180 (registration N9020J) was involved in an aviation accident near Sterling, CO. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: improper starting procedure used by the airport employee. Factors relating to the accident were: the inoperative starter, and failure of the pilot to seek proper assistance. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airport employee sustained a serious head injury when struck by a propeller while attempting to start an aircraft engine by hand-propping, after the pilot reported a weak starter.
Incident Details
The pilot of the aircraft reported knowing that the starter was 'weak' because the engine had previously been started by turning the propeller by hand. When the pilot and a passenger prepared to depart, the engine failed to start. An airport employee offered to turn the propeller by hand to start the engine. The employee stated that it had been 'two or three years' since he had last 'propped' an engine.
Sequence of Events
While the employee was hand-propping the engine, the propeller struck his head. The employee sustained a serious injury as a result of the incident.
Injuries
The source explicitly states that the propeller strike inflicted a serious injury to the employee's head. No other injuries are mentioned.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 24 Oct 1996 Piper PA-28C-180 accident near Sterling, CO?
An airport employee sustained a serious head injury when struck by a propeller while attempting to start an aircraft engine by hand-propping, after the pilot reported a weak starter.
Were there any fatalities in the 24 Oct 1996 Piper PA-28C-180 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 24 Oct 1996 involved a Piper PA-28C-180, registration N9020J, at Sterling, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
improper starting procedure used by the airport employee. Factors relating to the accident were: the inoperative starter, and failure of the pilot to seek proper assistance.
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