# NTSB CEN20CA047: Cessna 182, N3473U, Robstown, TX, December 30, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 29, 2019, 18:20 local (Dec 30, 2019, 00:20 UTC) - Place: Robstown, TX - Coordinates: 27.77861, -97.690834 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7786&lon=-97.6908&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 June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100743 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100743/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100743 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA047 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to set the friction lock on the throttle before hand propping the engine, which allowed the airplane to move forward and impact a credit card machine. Contributing to the accident was the malfunction of the parking brake for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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 handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182F, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072714), [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 182F, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072714), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he parked the airplane in front of the fuel pump and refueled both wing tanks before pushing the airplane back. The pilot reported that, while checking to see if the battery would charge before continuing the flight, the propeller turned slowly, and the engine did not start, so he chose to hand prop the airplane. He set the throttle, mixture, and parking brake, and after several attempts, the engine started. The engine appeared to be at idle, but then the rpms increased. The airplane moved forward and impacted the fuel station's credit card machine before he could enter and stop the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the airframe's bottom firewall area. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the throttle's friction lock was working. A check of the parking brake revealed that, even after the parking brake was applied, the airplane moved, and the brake did not function as intended. The reason for the parking brake malfunction was not determined. The accident is consistent with the pilot not setting the friction lock on the throttle and not verifying if the airplane would move when the parking brake was set. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was on a return flight back to his home airport. He turned on the airplane's cabin lights, and they seemed a bit dim. He decided to stop and troubleshoot the lighting issue and refuel, so he would have full fuel tanks for the night flight. He parked the airplane in front of the fuel pump and refueled both wing tanks, before pushing the airplane back. He added that he planned on checking to see if the battery would charge before continuing the flight. The propeller turned slow and the engine did not start, so he elected to hand prop the airplane. The pilot stated that he set the throttle, mixture, and parking brake, and after several attempts the engine started. He added that the engine appeared to be at idle, and then the rpm's increased. The airplane moved forward and impacted the fuel station's credit card machine before he could enter and stop the airplane. An examination of the airplane noted substantial damage to the airframe's belly/bottom firewall area. Additionally, there was minor damage to the airplane's cowling, propeller, and nosewheel pant. There was also damage to the fuel pump's credit card machine and a set of steps. An inspection of the airplane by the responding Federal Aviation Administration Inspector found that the throttle's friction lock was working; however, a check of the airplane's parking brake found that even after application of the brake, the airplane would move and the brakes did not function as intended. Though the specific problem with the brakes were not identified. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3473U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3473U-2020-04-08), registration cancelled 2020-04-08, S/N 18254873, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182 (F) - Registry model: [Cessna 182F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182f) (registry code 2072714) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18254873 - Year built: 1963 - Airframe hours: 3474 - Engines: Continental O-470 R 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2019 - Departed: KHRL, Harlingen, TX - Destination: 1TE4, Marion, TX - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: RBO, Nueces County Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 0; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 14, 2019; seat: none; flight hours: 1,055 total, 41.7 in this make and model, 1,055 as pilot in command, 101.3 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg ## 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 20191229019939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191229019939A), Dec 29, 2019: Cessna 182F, Robstown, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot was heading back to home base zuehl airport (1TE4) marion, Texas. From Robstown, Texas. Pilot decided to refuel at Robstown Airport (krbo) at 5:40 pm.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100743. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480094&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memo (item 2, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480095&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memo-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 276 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480096&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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. --- 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.