# Accident 20190714011629A: Cessna 177, Elkhart, IN, July 14, 2019

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 14, 2019, 11:00 local time
- Place: Elkhart, IN
- Airport: Elkhart Municipal Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.7205° N, 85.9791° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7205&lon=-85.9791&mi=10
- Aircraft: N29516, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29516-2019-12-23) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 177 (registry code 2073704, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 3
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN19LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA223) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190714011629A

## Narrative

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

ON OR ABOUT JULY 14, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:00 EASTERN DAYLIGHT TIME, A CESSNA 177 AIRCRAFT, N29516, REGISTERED TO ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^, RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AT THE ELKHART MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (EKM) WHEN IT BEGAN TO MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER.  THE AIRCRAFT DID HAVE TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD, BUT THERE WAS NOT A PILOT IN THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELED ACROSS A RAMP AREA, THROUGH A GRASSY AREA, OVER A TAXIWAY, UP A SLIGHT GRADE APPROACHING THE RUNWAY,  ACROSS THE RUNWAY AND CAME TO REST IN A FIELD SOUTH OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT DID BECOME AIRBORNE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AS IS CROSSED THE RUNWAY.

THE AIRCRAFT WAS BEING PRE-FLIGHTED IN PREPARATION FOR A FLIGHT THAT WAS GOING TO BE CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF  TITLE 14 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS PART 91, WITHOUT A FLIGHT PLAN.  NO INJURIES RESULTED FROM THE ACCIDENT.

VISUAL METEORLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  THE WEATHER OBSERVATION AT SOUTH BEND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT 10:54 WAS:

METAR KSBN 141454Z 07007KT 10SM CLR 27/17 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP203 T02670172 51002=

## 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 CEN19LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN19LA223), Jul 14, 2019: Cessna 177 (N29516), Elkhart, IN, substantial damage. Probable cause: An inadvertent engine start of the airplane and subsequent takeoff without the pilot on-board for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

## Other reports on N29516 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19911127058099I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911127058099I), Nov 27, 1991: Cessna 177 (N29516), Paducah, KY, Minor damage. Lost directional control on takeoff. Struck VASI system and stopped in grass. Pilot stated he had a crosswind.

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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