# NTSB BFO89LA076: Cessna 150, N6840G, Gaithersburg, MD, August 26, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 26, 1989, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Gaithersburg, MD
- Coordinates: 39.139549, -77.210121 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1395&lon=-77.2101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 13, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA076

## Probable cause

AN UNDETERMINED PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE AIRPLANE OR OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - ignition system - undetermined (cause)
  - tie down - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE & DECIDED TO PULL THE PROP THROUGH BY HAND. HE STATED HE REMOVED THE IGNITION KEY, PULLED THE THROTTLE TO IDLE & THE MIXTURE TO IDLE CUT-OFF. WHEN HE TURNED THE PROP, THE ENGINE STARTED & THE ACFT BEGAN TO TAXI. IT TRAVELED INTO A PARKED CESSNA SKYHAWK, WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO A CESSNA SKYLANE & A PIPER ARROW. NO MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO START.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6840G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6840G), registered now, S/N 15072340, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150
- Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Airframe hours: 2632
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William B. Weintraub
- Registered owner: William B Wentraub
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1989, 31 hours before
- Destination: 0W3, CHURCHVILLE, MD
- Airport: GAI, Montgomery County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 338 total, 338 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles

## 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 19890826034479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890826034479A), Aug 26, 1989: Cessna 150L, Gaithersburg, MD, Substantial damage. Low battery. Pulled prop thru by hand. Engine started. Struck and piled up three planes on ramp. Mag hot power open

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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