What happened
On 10 July 2005, a Skyranger 912(2), registration G-CCXM, was involved in an accident at Redlands Airfield in Swindon, Wiltshire. The pilot, who was also the owner of the aircraft, had flown from Northamptonshire for a private flight. Following an uneventful arrival, the aircraft's battery was found to be discharged, necessitating the use of a jump-start pack for the initial engine start.
After a 40-minute ground stop, the pilot prepared for the return flight but found the battery power still insufficient to turn the engine. Lacking wheel chocks and unable to find immediate replacements, the pilot secured the aircraft using a bungee cord over the control column and brake lever. The pilot then proceeded to hand-swing the three-bladed propeller. After an initial unsuccessful attempt, the engine ignited on the second swing but immediately surged to a high power setting. This sudden acceleration caused the aircraft to move forward. In an attempt to jump clear of the propeller and reach the cockpit to shut off the ignition, the pilot's left arm was struck by the propeller blades, resulting in a broken elbow and a deep laceration.
Following the surge, the unmanned aircraft moved across the runway and into a hedge. The engine eventually stopped after the propeller struck the ground. The impact caused the main undercarriage to collapse and resulted in extensive damage to the airframe and propeller.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the engine's behavior. While the engine did run at a high power setting, the investigation could not identify a mechanical cause; there was no evidence of faulty throttle cables, carburetor issues, or incorrect throttle friction settings. The pilot's experience included 639 total hours, with 58 hours on this specific type.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to hand-swing the propeller without using wheel chocks.
- The aircraft was secured only by a bungee cord over the brake lever.
- The engine unexpectedly surged to a high power setting during the manual start.
- The pilot's decision to improvise was influenced by the unexpected battery failure and the lack of appropriate equipment at the airfield.
- The pilot's attempt to avoid the propeller blades led to the physical injury.