Accident Rockwell Commander 112 N88MS, Monday 11 December 1995

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Date:	Monday 11 December 1995
Time:	08:30 LT
Type:	Rockwell Commander 112
Owner/operator:	Jim Lofin
Registration:	N88MS
MSN:	97
Year of manufacture:	1973
Total airframe hrs:	127 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming IO-360-C1D6
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Memphis, TN - United States of America
Phase:	Standing
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	(KMEM)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PILOT STATED THAT HE REQUESTED A GROUND POWER UNIT (GPU) TO ASSIST WITH THE ENGINE START. THE FBO USED A 28-VOLT, 800-AMP GPU. THE AIRPLANE HAS A 12-VOLT SYSTEM. THE GPU WAS ATTACHED TO THE AIRPLANE, AND AFTER THE BATTERY SWITCH WAS TURNED ON THE BATTERY EXPLODED AND A FIRE ENSUED.

Probable Cause: THE PILOT'S AND GROUND PERSONNEL'S IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE COMMUNICATIONS BEING NOT UNDERSTOOD AND INADEQUATE TRAINING FOR BOTH THE PILOT AND GROUND PERSONNEL.

Accident investigation: