A runaway aircraft took off on its own when the pilot could not get into the cockpit on time after swinging the front propellor.
Hundreds of visitors to an air show watched in horror as a runaway aircraft took off on its own, soared into the air and then crashed into trees.
The classic biplane ran in circles on the ground at speeds of up to 60mph before taking off and flying on its own for 200m. It then crashed into trees at the edge of Goodwood airfield on Sunday.
Had it cleared the trees it is believed the plane, which was headed towards nearby Chichester, West Sussex, could have flown for around 150 miles on a full tank of fuel.
The small plane had just been refuelled before the incident and its pilots had 'swung' the propellers to restart the engine before getting inside to fly it.
But the aircraft - a 1940 model built in the style of a Tiger Moth - began moving before the pilot had a chance to board it.
From a USN Bureau of Navigation Information Bulletin in 1939. A copy of the announcement of an awarding of the DFC. Imagining this in one of those open cockpit type bi planes, I wonder what the rest of the story was.
I'm not a pilot but I've read a lot about planes and aviation in general...
Wouldn't you apply the breaks before starting the prop and release only after entering the cockpit ready to fly? Or is protocol different in the classic biplanes?
Maybe the last thing you would do is pull the chocks before boarding, although that might be a bit tough with the plane trying to move forward at the time?
Flown a lot of planes i had to hand prop. All had brakes but not all had Parking brake. Biggest thing was to have throttle all the way back to idle and friction on if it had it. If doing it alone stand behind prop -use chocks-and BE CAREFUL!! Get experienced mech or pilot to teach you how first. Also get some to sit inside and hold brakes if available.
Is that anything like kick-starting a Harley? Because if it is ... I know it's not something I want to do while drunk. Dang bike falls over too easy ... don't know if that's true with the airplane.
