# NTSB BFO91LA010: Aeronca L3B, N1336J, Farmville, VA, November 4, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 4, 1990, 13:36 local (18:36 UTC)
- Place: Farmville, VA
- Coordinates: 37.289825, -78.390869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2898&lon=-78.3909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11641
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA010
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11641/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA010

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY SECURE THE AIRCRAFT WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE BY HAND PROPING.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - airport facility
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO HAND PROP START HIS AIRCRAFT WITHOUT ANY ASSISTANCE. HE TIED DOWN THE TAIL AND CHOCKED THE FRONT TIRES, AND STARTED THE AIRCRAFT PER NORMAL 'HOT START' PROCEDURES. AS THE PILOT WALKED AROUND THE AIRCRAFT, THE TIE DOWN ROPE BROKE. THE UNATTENDED AIRCRAFT JUMPED THE CHOCKS AND PROCEEDED ACROSS THE RAMP, EVENTUALLY COLLIDING WITH THE CORNER OF A HANGAR AND A VAN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1336J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1336J), registered now, S/N 058B13644, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA L3B
- Registry model: [Aeronca 0-58B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-0-58b) (registry code 0191006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 058B13644
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George W. Preston
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1990, 7 hours before
- Airport: FVX, Farmville

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,051 total, 54 in this make and model, 965 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 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 19901104051549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901104051549A), Nov 4, 1990: Aronca L3B, Farmville, VA, Substantial damage. Propped engine. It started broke tie down and jumped chocks. Hit hangar and vehicle.

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.