# NTSB ATL92LA094: Cessna 120, N72973, Wilmington, NC, May 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1992, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, NC
- Location: 34.2712° N, 77.9029° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WILMINGTON INTL (ILM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2712&lon=-77.9029&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA094
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA094

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE DURING THE ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURE, AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ATTEND TO THE AIRPLANE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS HAND PROPPING HIS AIRPLANE IN PREPARATION FOR A PERSONAL FLIGHT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE WHEELS WERE NOT CHOCKED, AND WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED, THE THROTTLE WAS IN A MIDRANGE POSITION. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO ROLL, AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE CONTROLS. THE UNATTENDED AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TWO FUEL TRUCKS BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE RUNAWAY AIRPLANE, THE PILOT WAS STRUCK BY THE AIRCRAFT TAIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N72973](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N72973-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N 10174, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10174
- Airframe hours: 3440
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pardee, Douglas L.
- Registered owner: Pardee, Douglas L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1992, 1 hours before
- Destination: SUT, SOUTHPORT, NC
- Airport: ILM, New Hanover International

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,326 total, 889 in this make and model, 1,236 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM, 1 nm away

## 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 19920503027289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920503027289A), May 3, 1992: Cessna 120, Wilmington, NC, Substantial damage. Started engine by propping. No chocks. Throttle half open. Knocked pilot down. Aircraft then struck 2 fuel trucks.

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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