BFO92LA068

Factual narrative

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO HAND PROP THE ENGINE WITH HIS WIFE, A NON-PILOT, IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. HE STATED THAT HE 'SET THE PARK BRAKE' AND EXITED THE AIRPLANE. AFTER THE THIRD ATTEMPT THE AIRPLANE STARTED. THE PILOT TRIED TO STOP THE AIRPLANE BY PUSHING AGAINST THE LEADING EDGE OF THE RIGHT WING, BUT HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED ACROSS THE RAMP WHERE IT COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER PIPER AIRPLANE WHICH STRUCK A CESSNA 172. ACCORDING TO THE FAA FLIGHT TRAINING HANDBOOK, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT AN ENGINE NEVER BE 'HAND PROPPED'UNLESS A QUALIFIED PERSON THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE OPERATION OF ALL THE CONTROLS IS SEATED AT THE CONTROLS AND THE BRAKES ARE SET. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12