On April 15, 2007, a Luscombe 8A (registration N28428) was involved in an aviation accident near Chippewa Falls, WI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot intentionally leaving the airplane unoccupied during the engine start, which resulted in the unoccupied airplane traversing into a cornfield. A factor was the rough/uneven cornfield. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An unoccupied airplane nosed over in a cornfield after the pilot hand-propped the engine. The pilot reported chocks were placed but no one was at the controls. Engine rpm increased rapidly, the aircraft climbed over the chocks and moved into the field.
Incident Overview
An unoccupied airplane nosed over in a cornfield shortly after the pilot hand-propped the engine. The pilot reported that he had chocked both main landing gear wheels before attempting to start the engine, but no one was at the aircraft controls during the engine start procedure.
Sequence of Events
Upon engine startup, the engine rpm "increased rapidly" before the pilot had enough time to enter the airplane. The airplane reportedly "climbed over the chocks and started moving" and then traversed into a corn field before nosing over. The aircraft came to rest inverted in the field.
Pilot's Statement
The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had secured the tailwheel with a tie-down for engine start. No further details were provided regarding aircraft damage or other circumstances.