Adopted:    May 29, 1944

File No. 4899-43

REPORT OF THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS BOARD

on the

Investigation of an aircraft Propeller Accident

William Arthur Debus was seriously injured while starting an aircraft engine at the Municipal Airport, Boulder, Colorado, about 8:15 a.m. on December 3, 1943. The aircraft, a Piper J3C-06, NO. 26887, owned by the Defense Plant Corporation and being operated by Mountain States Aviation Company, was not damaged.

Debus, a War Training Service Navy trainee, was assisting Jack Willard Wood, another Navy student, in starting the engine of NO 26887. After calling "switch off" and "throttle closed," Debus pulled the propeller through several times to prime the engine, then called "contract," thereupon Wood turned on both switches and cracked the throttle. At this point are instructor nearby called Debus; attention to the fact that there were no checks in front of the wheels and Debus, whithout removing his hand from the propeller, reached for the checks and in so doing moved the propeller. The engine started and the propeller struck him on the right hand, breaking several bones.

Investigation disclosed that although the students had been properly instructed in the correct method of starting an engine, additional instruction has been given to all student by the flight operator to prevent similar occurrences.

The probable cause on this accidents was carelessness on the part of Student Debus is not following instructions properly.

BY THE BOARD

/s/

Fred A. Toombs

Secretary