On July 18, 1999, an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-CD (registration N3859H) was involved in an aviation accident near Wahoo, NE. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper starting technique which resulted in the inadvertent starting of the engine, with no one in the airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane that had been idle for two months started unintentionally when the pilot moved the propeller, then rolled down a taxiway and struck a hangar.
Incident Details
The airplane had been idle for approximately two months prior to the event. According to the pilot, when he attempted to start the engine, the battery had sufficient power to rotate the propeller through only one rotation. The pilot then exited the airplane to manually turn the propeller, aiming to position the engine at the top of its compression stroke.
Sequence of Events
The pilot reported that he turned off the master switch before moving the propeller, but he failed to turn off the ignition switch. After moving the propeller half a turn, the engine started. The airplane then traveled down a taxiway and contacted a hangar, becoming imbedded in the structure.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 18 Jul 1999 Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-CD accident near Wahoo, NE?
An airplane that had been idle for two months started unintentionally when the pilot moved the propeller, then rolled down a taxiway and struck a hangar.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 18 Jul 1999 involved an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-CD, registration N3859H, at Wahoo, NE.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's improper starting technique which resulted in the inadvertent starting of the engine, with no one in the airplane.
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…