# Accident 20200311000769A: Aeronca 7AC, Ankeny, IA, March 11, 2020

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: March 11, 2020, 16:45 local time
- Place: Ankeny, IA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.6953° N, 93.5686° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6953&lon=-93.5686&mi=10
- Aircraft: N83032, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83032) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aeronca 7AC (registry code 2110102, https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental A&C65 series (registry code 17003, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR A&C65 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 116 total, 32 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN20CA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA120) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200311000769A

## Narrative

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

THE AIRCRAFT HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A FLIGHT WITH ANOTHER PILOT. THE PILOT INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WAS ALONE. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT SUCCESS, THE PILOT HAD NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE CARBURETOR. THE PILOT TURNED THE MAGNETO'S OFF AND ADVANCED THE THROTTLE APPROXIMATLY TWO THIRDS AND THEN TURNED THE PROP BACKWARDS TO CLEAR THE CYLINDERS. AFTER DONG THIS THE PILOT TURNED THE MAGNETO'S BACK ON BUT FAILED TO RETARD THE THROTTLE. WHEN THE PILOT AGAIN ATTEMPTED TO START THE AIRCRAFT THE ENGINE DID START, CAUSING THE PROP TO STRIKE THE PILOT ON THE HEAD. THE AIRCRAFTS PARKING WAS SET AND THE WHEELS WHERE CHOCKED. WITH THE THROTTLE BEING ADVANCED TWO THIRDS THE AIRCRAFTS PARKING BRAKE DID NOT HOLD. THE AIRCRFT JUMPED THE CHOCKS AND STRUCK THE HANGAR. NOTE: THIS AIRCRAFT DOES NOT HAVE AN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE AIRCRAFT MUST BE STARTED BY HAND-PROPPING THE AIRCRAFT.

## 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 CEN20CA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA120), Mar 11, 2020: Aeronca 7AC (N83032), Ankeny, IA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper starting procedure, which allowed the airplane to move forward over the wheel chocks and impact him and a hangar when he subsequently hand propped the engine.

## Other reports on N83032 (2)

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

- [Incident 20130723014969I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130723014969I), Jul 23, 2013: Aeronca 7AC (N83032), Elkton, KY, Minor damage. On July 20, 2013, during inspection, the number four cylinder failed a compression test. The cylinder was replaced with one that had no paperwork…
- [Accident 19840213003289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840213003289A), Feb 13, 1984: Bbavia 7AC (N83032), Lawrence, KS, Substantial damage. Instructor pilot allowed student to make hard landing that became uncontrollable resulting in crash.

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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