# NTSB CEN09CA547: Cessna 182P, N1988M, Sugar Land, TX, August 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 24, 2009, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Sugar Land, TX - Coordinates: 29.622222, -95.656387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6222&lon=-95.6564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 74608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA547 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74608/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74608 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA547 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to control the airplane during engine startup, and his failure to maintain clearance from other objects. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 48 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Cessna 182P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2075816), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the written statement provided by the pilot, he experienced an unexpected power surge during the engine start. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the airplane surged forward and the pilot was not able to arrest the forward travel. The pilot reported that he was concerned about impacting an adjacent hanger and turned the airplane left while reducing power. The airplane impacted an adjacent Piper PA-30 airplane. According to the FAA a 30-inch span of the leading edge of the right wing was crushed aft bending two ribs. An examination of the airplane, engine, and brakes revealed no anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to the written statement provided by the pilot, he experienced an unexpected power surge during the engine start. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the airplane surged forward and the pilot was not able to arrest the forward travel. The pilot reported that he was concerned about impacting an adjacent hanger and turned the airplane left while reducing power. The airplane impacted an adjacent Piper PA-30 airplane. According to the FAA a 30-inch span of the leading edge of the right wing was crushed aft bending two ribs. An examination of the airplane, engine, and brakes revealed no anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1988M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1988M), registered now, S/N 18264517, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18264517 - Airframe hours: 5379 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: SGR, Sugerland, TX - Destination: SGR, Sugerland, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: SGR, Sugar Land Regional Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 4,700 total, 129 in this make and model, 4,550 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: KSRG ## 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 20090824015909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090824015909A), Aug 24, 2009: Cessna 182P, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The PIC started the aircraft engine with a high throttle setting while on the ground facing an avionics business hanger. The engine started and the PIC… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 16, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74608. 434 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 434 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40318836&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.