# NTSB CEN20CA087: Vans RV8, N7736T, Columbus, MS, February 15, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 15, 2020, 07:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Columbus, MS - Coordinates: 33.464443, -88.382499 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4644&lon=-88.3825&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 25, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100953 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA087 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100953/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100953 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA087 ## Probable cause The inadvertent engine start of the unoccupied airplane, which resulted in it moving forward and impacting a hangar and an electrical box. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system: battery/charger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Macias Richard SR RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md?model=05617Z0), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Macias Richard SR RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=05617Z0), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Macias Richard SR RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=05617Z0), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Macias Richard SR RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/cases.md?model=05617Z0), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01050000/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: [Macias Richard SR RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=05617Z0), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Prior to flight: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Macias Richard SR RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=05617Z0), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Other: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Macias Richard SR RV8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=05617Z0), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he conducted the preflight and that, during the start sequence, the engine's starter would not engage. He turned off the switches, set the parking brake, and exited the cockpit. He rotated the engine by turning the propeller slowly by hand so that the starter would engage. The engine started unexpectedly, and the airplane moved forward. The airplane impacted a hangar and an electrical transformer box, and a postimpact fire ensured, which consumed the airplane and prevented examination of the cockpit, brakes, or electrical system. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he planned a flight in a single-engine airplane. He conducted the pre-flight and then during the start sequence, the engine's starter would not engage. He turned off the switches, set the parking brake, and exited the cockpit. He rotated the engine by turning the propeller slowly by hand, so the starter would engage. The engine started unexpectedly, and the airplane moved forward. The airplane collided with a hangar and an electrical transformer box, and a post-impact fire ensued. The airplane was consumed by the fire, which prevented any examination of the cockpit, brakes, or electrical system. The accident is consistent with an inadvertent engine start when the pilot rotated the propeller. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7736T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7736T-2020-12-08), registration cancelled 2020-12-08, S/N 81302 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Vans RV8 (A) - Registry model: [Macias Richard SR RV8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/macias-richard-sr-rv8a) (registry code 05617Z0) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 81302 - Airframe hours: 400 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 30, 2019 - Departed: UBS, Columbus, MS - Airport: UBS, Columbus-Lowndes County - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: none; flight hours: 2,300 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.44 inHg - Observed at: KGTR, 9 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 20200215005689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200215005689A), Feb 15, 2020: Macias Richard Sr RV8A, Columbus, MS, Destroyed. Ground incident: during pre-flight and engine start operations, engine starter did not engage engine, resulting in a no-start. Pilot terminated start… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 28, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100953. 5.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480873&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 288 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480874&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.