CIRRUS SR22 near Eden Prairie, MN — 2012-12-06

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to ensure the airplane was secured prior to attempting an engine start by handpropping.

NTSB narrative

When the pilot attempted to start the engine, the starter motor turned, but the starter did not engage. The pilot said he turned off the battery master switch, exited the airplane, and walked around to the front of the airplane. He reached through the door and thought the ignition key was off. He pushed the propeller down through one compression stroke. The engine immediately started. The pilot jumped on the left wing, but fell off. The airplane traveled across the ramp and struck a ditch between runways 28R and 28L, breaking off the nose gear and buckling the firewall. Postaccident examination disclosed the ignition switch functioned normally.

NTSB coding

• Ground handling event · Standing-engine(s) start-up
• Preflight Inspection

Evidence available

• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• FAA Form 1360-33, Record of Visitform
• FAA Form 1360-33, Record of Visit, Accident Site Notesform
• NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Reportform

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