No fatalities

Aircraft Strikes Fuel Truck and Brick Wall Following Hand-Prop Starting (N6491A)

Page, AZ, US

On August 9, 1998, a Cessna 182 (registration N6491A) was involved in an aviation accident near Page, AZ. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the pilot to verify throttle position and/or obtain qualified assistance while hand propping the aircraft engine. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

After refueling, an aircraft failed to start. The pilot hand-propped the propeller, but the engine started at high rpm, rolled over chocks, broke tie-down, and struck a fuel truck and brick wall.

Summary

Following a refueling operation, an aircraft would not start. The fixed-base operator (FBO) provided an external power source, but the engine still failed to start. The pilot then performed a hand-prop starting procedure, which led to a ground collision with a fuel truck and a brick wall.

Sequence of Events

The pilot stated that after refueling, the aircraft would not start. An external power source was obtained from the FBO, but the engine did not start. The pilot then tied the tail down and chocked the nose gear. He primed the engine and inadvertently pushed the throttle forward. After exiting the aircraft, he hand-propped the propeller. The engine started and revved to high rpm, rolling over the chock and pulling the tail tie-down loose. By the time the pilot was able to apply brakes, the aircraft had struck a fuel truck and a brick wall.

Pilot Actions

The pilot's actions included tying down the tail, chocking the nose gear, priming the engine, and hand-propping the propeller. He noted that he inadvertently moved the throttle forward before exiting the aircraft.

Outcome

The aircraft impacted a fuel truck and a brick wall after the engine started at high power. The pilot applied brakes but was unable to prevent the collision.

All Cessna 182 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Aug 1998 Cessna 182 accident near Page, AZ?

After refueling, an aircraft failed to start. The pilot hand-propped the propeller, but the engine started at high rpm, rolled over chocks, broke tie-down, and struck a fuel truck and brick wall.

Were there any fatalities in the 9 Aug 1998 Cessna 182 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Aug 1998 involved a Cessna 182, registration N6491A, at Page, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Failure of the pilot to verify throttle position and/or obtain qualified assistance while hand propping the aircraft engine.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10897. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.