# NTSB ANC89LA109: Piper PA-28, N5302W, Kenai, AK, June 29, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1989, 17:50 local (Jun 29, 1989, 01:50 UTC)
- Place: Kenai, AK
- Coordinates: 61.07933, -149.699829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0793&lon=-149.6998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 9, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5212
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5212/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA109

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE IN STARTING THE ENGINE AND/OR HIS INADEQUATE SUPERVISION.  THE PASSENGER'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE AIRCRAFT RESULTED IN HER IMPROPER USE OF THE THROTTLE WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, passenger (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, passenger
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS HAND PROPPING HIS ACFT WHILE HIS WIFE, WHO WAS NOT A PLT, WAS AT THE CONTROLS. WHEN THE ENG STARTED, SHE TRIED TO FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO 'THROTTLE DOWN,'  BUT INCREASED THE THROTTLE SETTING, INSTEAD OF DECREASING IT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE ACFT OR SHUT DOWN THE ENG BEFORE THE ACFT CRASHED INTO A PARKED AIRPLANE. BOTH ACFT WERE SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5302W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5302W), registered now, S/N 28-353 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28) (registry code 7102801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-353
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Goforth, Aaron G.
- Registered owner: Aaron G Goforth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: ENA
- Airport: ENA, Kenai

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 370 total, 167 in this make and model, 329 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ENA

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890628018419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890628018419A), Jun 28, 1989: Piper PA28160, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. Propped engine with wife at controls. Wife opened throttle by mistake. Aircraft struck a parked aircraft.

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.

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