Aeronca 65-CA N29447 accident near Deming, New Mexico

Probable cause

The occupant’s improper throttle movement during the start procedure, which resulted in forward movement and loss of airplane control.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that, the airplane does not have an electrical system and needed to be hand propped to start the engine. There were no tire chocks or tie-down ropes on the ramp, so he asked an individual at the airport, whom he believed was a pilot and said that he had experience with assisting in hand propping an airplane. The pilot instructed the individual on the procedures and with the throttle set to 1/8 inch open, and the individual in the pilot’s seat, he then positioned himself in front of the airplane and spun the propeller. The engine started as expected and the engine immediately went to a high rpm setting. The airplane began forward movement under high rpm and speed and subsequently collided with a light pole and airport hangar after the individual in the cockpit could not stop the airplane. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that after the collision, he found the throttle positioned to the full forward high rpm position instead of the idle position and that the individual reported that he went the wrong direction with the throttle. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR23LA100 for the full record.