# Accident 20160720011339A: Aeronca 7BCM/CONV, Connellsville, PA, July 20, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 20, 2016, 10:30 local time
- Place: Connellsville, PA
- Airport: Connellsville
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.9592° N, 79.6575° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9592&lon=-79.6575&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1639E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1639E-2017-02-07) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aeronca 7BCM/CONV (registry code 2110145, https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm-conv) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental C85-8 (registry code 17119, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-8) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM/CONV
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR C85-8
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 700 total, 425 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ERA16CA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA264) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160720011339A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT INITIALLY HAND PROPPED THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE (AIRCRAFT NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRIC STARTER), GOT IN THE AIRCRAFT AND BEGAN TO TAXI. THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND STALLED. THE PILOT THEN REALIZED HE HAD LEFT THE FUEL SELECTOR IN THE OFF POSITION. HE SET THE BRAKES (MECHANICAL STYLE), TURNED ON THE FUEL, AND EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. HE AGAIN HAND PROPPED THE AIRCRAFT. THE ENGINE STARTED AND ACCELERATED TO A HIGH RPM. THE PILOT REALIZED HE HAD NOT RETARDED THE THROTTLE BACK FROM WHEN HE WAS TAXIING. THE BRAKES COULD NOT HOLD THE AIRCRAFT AND IT BEGAN TO SPIN IN CIRCLES. THE PILOT TRIED TO GET IN THE AIRCRAFT, BUT THE DOOR SWUNG SHUT. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE PILOT WITH THE TAIL OF THE AIRCRAFT TWICE AND WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THE AIRCRAFT EVENTUALLY RAN INTO A HANGAR, SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGING THE AIRCRAFT WINGS, FUSELAGE AND PROP BY STRIKING THE HANGAR. THE PILOT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH SEVERE INJURIES VIA MEDICAL HELICOPTER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ERA16CA264](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA264), Jul 20, 2016: Aeronca 7BCM (N1639E), Connellsville, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to properly set the throttle and secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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