# NTSB ATL82DA240: Cessna 180, N42GC, Grand Bay, AL, August 15, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1982, 19:00 local (Aug 15, 1982, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Grand Bay, AL
- Coordinates: 30.469417, -88.340316 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4694&lon=-88.3403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 14, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70866
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70866/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA240

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, other person (cause)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, taxi

## Analysis

REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT, BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, SO HE HAND PROPPED THE ENGINE TO START IT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S FATHER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE OPERATING AT IDLE SPEED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS RUNNING THE ENGINE TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS WHEN A BYSTANDER REACHED IN THE COCKPIT AND ADVANCED THE THROTTLE ENOUGH TO MOVE THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT A FENCE AND A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. REPORTEDLY, THE BYSTANDER DISAPPEARED FROM THE SCENE. ON THE SAME DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, A PERSON WAS ADMITTED TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE PATIENT REPORTED THAT HIS LOWER RIGHT LEG WAS RUN OVER BY AN AIRCRAFT WHEEL AND HE RECEIVED ABRASIONS TO THE LEFT ARM FROM A PROPELLER STRIKE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42GC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42GC-2012-11-20), registration cancelled 2012-11-20, S/N 31732, built 1955 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180) (registry code 2072602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 31732
- Airframe hours: 5567
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-J 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John E. Cutts Jr.
- Registered owner: Robert Steenbock
- Departed: GRAND BAY, AL
- Destination: GRAND BAY, AL
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: Hatchett Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 9,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 194 °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 19820814038859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820814038859A), Aug 14, 1982: Cessna 180, Grand Bay, AL, Substantial damage. Pilot hand propped aircraft without authorized person aboard.

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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