At about 1500 Pacific time, a Piper PA-24 being hand-propped started and crashed into a fence and trees at Scappoose Industrial Airpark. The passenger was killed and the pilot was not on board at the time. The pilot said he fueled the airplane and then could not start it. He moved it away from the fuel pump, set the parking brake, advanced the throttle about -inch and turned on the mags. The passenger was in the right front seat when the pilot pulled the prop through and the engine started immediately. As he started to walk around the wing, the power advanced to what sounded like full power. The airplane knocked down the pilot and careened across the airport.
February 12, Scappoose, Ore. / Piper Comanche
At about 1500 Pacific time, a Piper PA-24 being hand-propped started and crashed into a fence and trees at Scappoose Industrial Airpark. The passenger was killed and the pilot was not on board at the time. The pilot said he fueled the airplane and then could not start it. He moved it away from the fuel pump, set the parking brake, advanced the throttle about -inch and turned on the mags. The passenger was in the right front seat when the pilot pulled the prop through and the engine started immediately. As he started to walk around the wing, the power advanced to what sounded like full power. The airplane knocked down the pilot and careened across the airport....
Key Takeaways:
- A hand-propped Piper PA-24 unexpectedly started and accelerated to full power, crashing into a fence and trees at Scappoose Industrial Airpark.
- The passenger inside the aircraft was killed, while the pilot, who was outside attempting the start, was knocked down by the moving plane.
- The pilot had set the parking brake and advanced the throttle slightly before pulling the prop, after which the engine started immediately and the power advanced uncontrollably.
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