Event ERA13CA182

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he attempted to start the engine while it was still warm. He noted that the starter clutch was not engaging and utilized several throttle and mixture lever positions, but the engine would not start. The pilot turned off the master switch, but inadvertently left the magneto switch in the ON position. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller to assist the engine start. As he walked away to re-enter the airplane, the engine started. The airplane moved forward, struck a taxiway light, and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, he attempted to start the engine while it was still warm. He noted that he used several throttle and mixture lever positions to try to start the engine but that the starter clutch would not engage and the engine would not start. The pilot turned off the master switch, but he inadvertently left the magneto switch in the ON position. He then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller to assist the engine start. As he started to walk back to re-enter the airplane, the propeller moved, and the engine started. The airplane moved forward, struck a taxiway light, and came to rest in a ditch, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-(general)-(general)-Related operating info - C