# NTSB CEN09LA107: Cessna 150F, N8212F, Palenstine, TX, December 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 28, 2008, 16:07 local (22:07 UTC) - Place: Palenstine, TX - Coordinates: 31.750104, -95.640388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.7501&lon=-95.6404&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73150 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09LA107 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73150/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09LA107 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to ensure security of the cockpit switches before rotating the propeller. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 111 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063000/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) not oper: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md) - [Other: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Cessna 150F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2071814), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot and a 6-year old passenger boarded the airplane for a local flight. After a failed attempt to start the engine, the pilot recalled securing the master switch and the magnetos prior to exiting the cockpit to rotate the propeller by hand. While turning the propeller to "limber" the oil, the airplane's engine inadvertently started. As the airplane moved forward, an unknown part of the airplane contacted the pilot causing serious injuries. The airplane, with the passenger still on-board, traversed the airport before colliding with trees. The passenger was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. A responding fire fighter reported turning off the magneto and fuel switches during the initial response. ## Factual narrative On December 28, 2008, at 1607 central standard time, a Cessna 150F was substantially damaged upon impact with trees near Palestine, Texas. The private pilot and passenger both received serious injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot. The airplane was on the ramp area of Palestine Municipal Airport (PSN), Palestine, Texas. Visual meteorological condition prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot provided a statement to the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector as well as a completed Form 6120 to the Investigator in charge. The pilot stated that he planned on giving his 6-year old granddaughter a flight in the airplane. After the second failed attempt to start the engine, the pilot recalled turning off the ignition and master switches. With the passenger still buckled in the passenger seat, the pilot began manually turning the propeller in an effort to "limber the oil." After the third propeller rotation, the airplane's engine started. The pilot was injured as the airplane moved forward. The airplane continued to gain speed as it transversed the airport before impacting trees. The passenger was injured in the crash. The airplane sustained damage to the wing spars, fuselage and empennage. In an interview with the responding FAA inspector, a fire fighter reported turning off the key switch (magneto switch) and the fuel shutoff during the initial response. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8212F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8212F-2009-01-14), registration cancelled 2009-01-14, S/N 15064312, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150F - Registry model: [Cessna 150F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150f) (registry code 2071814) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15064312 - Airframe hours: 3164 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-200 SERIES 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fielden Virgil A - Registered owner: Fielden Virgil A - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2008, 38 hours before - Airport: PSN, Palestine Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 226 total, 226 in this make and model, 187 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: JSO, 25 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 20081228853669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081228853669A), Dec 28, 2008: Cessna 150F, Palestine, TX, Destroyed. At 1607 on 28 December 2008, at Palestine Municipal Airport (kpsn), pilot [privacy data omitted] with his 6 year old granddaughter accidentally started his… 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.