# NTSB CEN14CA041: Piper PA 28-180, N8084W, Benton Harbor, MI, October 2, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 2, 2013, 15:18 local (19:18 UTC)
- Place: Benton Harbor, MI
- Coordinates: 42.126667, -86.428054 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1267&lon=-86.4281&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 3, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88390
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88390/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88390
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA041

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during engine start.

## 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: [Piper PA-28-180, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-28-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7102808), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the engine start, the pilot had applied full throttle. After the engine start, the pilot lost control of the airplane, and the airplane impacted a hangar at the airport. A ground worker sustained minor injuries during the collision. The pilot reported that the accident was due to pilot error, and the airplane had no mechanical issues.

## Factual narrative

During the engine start, the pilot had applied full throttle. After the engine start, the pilot lost control of the airplane, and the airplane impacted a hangar at the airport. A ground worker sustained minor injuries during the collision. The pilot reported that the accident was due to pilot error, and the airplane had no mechanical issues.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8084W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8084W), registered now, S/N 28-2174, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA 28-180 (180)
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180) (registry code 7102808) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-2174
- Year built: 1965
- Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BEH, Benton Harbor, MI
- Destination: BEH, Benton Harbor, MI
- Airport: BEH, Southwest Michigan Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 11, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20131002019779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131002019779A), Oct 2, 2013: Piper PA-28-180, Benton Harbor, MI, Substantial damage. On 10/2/13 at 1518EST, Piper cherokee N8084W struck an obstacle while taxiing at Benton Harbor Regional Airport. One person on board uninjured and one…

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88390. 270 KB in all.

- Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 1, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404694&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%0D%0A-Master.PDF
- Police Report (item 2, .PDF, 218 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404696&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Police%20Report-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.

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