# NTSB CEN14CA070: Cessna 172, N113SF, New Orleans, LA, November 24, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: November 24, 2013, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 30.035887, -90.025786 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0359&lon=-90.0258&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: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 88470
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88470/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88470
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA070

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after starting the engine, which resulted in a collision with a building.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/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 172S, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Standing-engine(s) operating: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172S, 118 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072439), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The airplane had just returned from a training flight and the engine was still warm. The pilot said she had difficulty starting the engine and opened the throttle "just a bit." She said she set the parking brake and her feet were on the brakes. When the engine started, it went to high rpm. The airplane lurched forward and collided with the fixed base operator building. Examination of the brake system revealed no anomalies

## Factual narrative

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the airplane had just returned from a training flight and the engine was still warm. The pilot told the inspector that she had difficulty starting the engine and opened the throttle "just a bit." She said she set the parking brake and her feet were on the brakes. The engine started and went to high rpm. The airplane lurched forward and collided with the fixed base operator building. The FAA inspector said he examined and tested the brake system and found no anomalies.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N113SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N113SF-2018-08-27), registration cancelled 2018-08-27, S/N 172S8761, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (S)
- Registry model: [Cessna 172S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172s) (registry code 2072439) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172S8761
- Year built: 2001
- Airframe hours: 5586
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-L2A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gulf Coast Aviation
- Registered owner: Desselle Aircraft Leasing LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 3, 2013, 28 hours before
- Departed: KNEW, New Orleans, LA
- Destination: KNEW, New Orleans, LA
- Airport: KNEW, Lakefront
- Equipment: Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 24, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 172 total, 102 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.31 inHg
- Observed at: KNEW

## 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 20131124023289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131124023289A), Nov 24, 2013: Cessna 172S, New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. While preparing for a VFR flight in the local area the pilot stated she set the parking brake and started the hot engine. The pilot said she must have gave it…

## Docket (7 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 16, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88470. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 80 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406495&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406496&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - N113SF on the ramp (item 3, .PDF, 496 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406500&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20N113SF%20on%20the%20ramp-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Right wing leading edge damage (item 4, .PDF, 453 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406501&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20wing%20leading%20edge%20damage-Master.PDF
- Photo 3 - The propeller (item 5, .PDF, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406502&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%20-%20The%20propeller-Master.PDF
- Photo 4 - Damaged FBO building (item 6, .PDF, 743 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406503&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%204%20-%20Damaged%20FBO%20building-Master.PDF
- Photo 5 - Close-up of damaged wall (item 7, .PDF, 905 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406504&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%205%20-%20Close-up%20of%20damaged%20wall-Master.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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