OOPS!! The one that got away!!

[wxwatcher]

Interesting story in the news earlier today. Seems a pilot flooded the carb in an older Champ (no electric start). Well, said pilot set the throttle to full, checked his restraints, then proceeded to "pull the prop through". Short version.. The engine fired off, the restrainst broke, and the pilot made a mad dash across the tarmac trying to get into the aircraft.

He didn't make it, so he climbed into a van and tried to follow, but lost sight after about 10 minutes.

Well, the local highway patrol aircraft found the errant aircraft about 45 miles from the airport on a hillside where it crashed after apparently running out of fuel. They were able to find it because the battery-powered ELT worked like it was designed to.

Pilot says he plans to have the aircraft moved back to the airport where he will try to rebuild it.

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Comments and opinions are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.

[skid]

These type airplanes are still getting loose from poor planning. They develop very little thrust and are restrained quite easily, but do have to be tied down to prevent Murphy's Law from winning. They do start quite easily, but you do need to know each airplanes idosyncrasies to start easily. A screw anchor right in front of hangar is a simple effective way to start plane safely. Pull plane out of hanger, tie tail to anchor, pull up against slack and start plane. Untie after started and idleing with brake set. There is still room for error untieing idleing airplane alone but most get loose in actual starting. Don't trust brakes for starting. If you're away from your own hanger, there is always a post or tie down ring to tie the tail to. If you don't like untieing tail and getting in, have a glider tow hook installed on tailspring and leave your rope tied to anchor. Legally there must be a liscensed pilot at controls when hand propping. I'd rather trust a rope than a "pilot" who can't resist adjusting the throttle or turning on the switch against my instruction. Be especially careful when getting help starting as peoples brains seem to go to "screen saver" when around old taildraggers.