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ERA12CA323

2012-05-08 · Paducah, Kentucky, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport PAH

Current FAA registration · N1819L

Make / Model
BEECH A36
Engine
CONT MOTOR IO 520 SERIES (285 hp)
Seats / Engines
6 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19760402
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A14801

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to properly secure the airplane before turning the propeller by hand.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that the airplane's starter had been malfunctioning for approximately one month. On the day of the accident, he unsuccessfully attempted to start the engine from inside the airplane, then exited the airplane and turned the propeller "slowly," but stated he did not intend to hand-prop the engine. He stated that the engine then started unexpectedly, traveled across the ramp, and impacted a parked airplane, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot stated that the airplane's starter had been malfunctioning for about 1 month. On the day of the accident, he unsuccessfully attempted to start the engine from inside the airplane, then exited the airplane, and turned the propeller "slowly." The pilot’s intent in turning the propeller was not to start the engine. However, the engine started unexpectedly, and the airplane traveled across the ramp and impacted a parked airplane, resulting in substantial damage. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_ERA12CA323.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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