# NTSB BFO88LA017: Cessna 177, N313AC, Petersburg, VA, February 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 6, 1988, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Petersburg, VA
- Coordinates: 37.229164, -77.329689 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2292&lon=-77.3297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11392
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11392/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88LA017

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PLT HAND-PROPPED THE ENGINE WHEN HE WAS UNABLE TO START IT USING THE STARTER. THE ACFT HAD JUST BEEN REFUELED AND IT WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE FUEL PUMPS. THE PLT PUSHED THE ACFT AWAY FROM THE PUMPS BEFORE HE TRIED TO HAND-PROP IT. AFTER THE THIRD HAND-PROP ATTEMPT THE ENGINE STARTED. AS HE TRIED TO BOARD THE ACFT IT MOVED FORWARD AND HE WAS KNOCKED DOWN BY THE LANDING GEAR. THE ACFT MOVED AHEAD UNTIL IT STRUCK A PIPER ARROW THAT WAS STANDING NEXT TO THE FUEL PUMPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N313AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N313AC-2005-05-24), registration cancelled 2005-05-24, S/N 17700772, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177000772
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert L. Vaughan
- Registered owner: Robert L. Vaughan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 14, 1987, 53 hours before
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: PTB, Petersburg

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 856 total, 43 in this make and model, 805 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19880206047499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880206047499A), Feb 6, 1988: Cessna 177, Petersburg, VA, Substantial damage. Hand started engine. Aircraft rolled into a parked aircraft. Pilot reported brake was on and throttle closed.

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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