# NTSB ANC94LA136: Cessna 140, N76680, Willow, AK, September 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 12, 1994, 19:05 local (Sep 13, 1994, 03:05 UTC) - Place: Willow, AK - Coordinates: 61.079498, -151.160339 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.0795&lon=-151.1603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 9, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2567 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2567/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA136 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURES. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE UNAVAILABILITY OF A PARKING BRAKE AND TIEDOWNS TO SECURE THE AIRPLANE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s) - object - vehicle - parking brakes - unavailable (contributing factor) - ground tie-down rope/strap - unavailable (contributing factor) - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO DEPART UNACCOMPANIED ON A PERSONAL FLIGHT FROM A PRIVATE DIRT AIRSTRIP AND BEGAN HAND-PROPPING HIS AIRPLANE. NO TIE-DOWNS WERE AVAILABLE AND A PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE. DURING THE PRE-START SEQUENCE, THE THROTTLE WAS POSITIONED NEAR WIDE OPEN. WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED, THE AIRPLANE ACCELERATED AWAY FROM THE PILOT AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE AND FENCE. ## Factual narrative On September 12, 1994, at 1905 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna model 140 airplane, N76680, owned and operated by the pilot-in-command, collided with objects on the ground shortly after the pilot hand started the plane's engine at the Deshka landing air strip located approximately 7 miles west of Willow, Alaska. The pilot was not injured and there were no passengers on board the plane. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The pilot was hand prop starting the engine for the purpose of conducting a local pleasure flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and there was no flight plan in effect. During a telephone interview on the afternoon of September 13, 1994, the pilot told the NTSB investigator-in-charge that during the engine prestart sequence, he unintentionally left the throttle near wide open. He commenced to hand prop start the engine without wheel chocks in place. When the engine started, he was not able to enter the cockpit to arrest the plane's uncommanded travel. The plane collided with a three-wheeled recreation vehicle (RV) and two metal fence posts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76680](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76680), registered now, S/N 11120, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11120 - Airframe hours: 4900 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Moore, Charles D. - Registered owner: Moore, Charles D. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1994, 82 hours before - Airport: Deshka Landing ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 10,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 100 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 19940912026539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940912026539A), Sep 12, 1994: Cessna 140, Willow, AK, Substantial damage. Hand started engine aircraft collided with a rv. Had throttle near full open no chocks or parking brake. ## Other investigations on N76680 (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 UNK64X2128](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X2128), Jun 5, 1964: Cessna 140 (N76680), Boise, ID, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.