# NTSB CEN20CA120: Aeronca 7AC, N83032, Ankeny, IA, March 11, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 11, 2020, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Ankeny, IA - Coordinates: 41.695278, -93.568611 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6953&lon=-93.5686&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101069 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101069/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101069 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA120 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper starting procedure, which allowed the airplane to move forward over the wheel chocks and impact him and a hangar when he subsequently hand propped the engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022035/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: [Aeronca 7AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/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: [Aeronca 7AC, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2110102), [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: [Aeronca 7AC, 44 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2110102), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he attempted to hand prop the engine numerous times without success. He returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch to the "off" position and advanced the throttle to between 1/2 and 3/4 travel. He then exited the cockpit and turned the propeller backward five to six "blades" to clear the cylinders. The pilot again returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch back to the "on" position, but he did not retard the throttle back to idle. He attempted to hand prop the engine again, and it started. Due to the engine's throttle setting, the airplane moved forward over the wheel chocks and struck the pilot, which resulted in serious injuries, and then a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage. ## Factual narrative The pilot attempted to hand-prop the airplane's engine without success. He turned off the magneto switch and advanced the throttle to between ½ to ¾ travel and then turned the propeller backwards 5-6 times to clear the cylinders. The pilot reported that he returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch back to the on position but did not put the throttle back to idle. He hand-propped the airplane a second time and the engine started. The engine's throttle setting allowed the airplane to move forward over the wheel chocks, and the airplane struck the pilot. A passenger was still in the airplane as it collided with a hangar, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's firewall and fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger was not injured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83032](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N83032), registered now, S/N 7AC-1688 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 7AC (No Series) - Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-1688 - Year built: 1956 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Private Individual - Registered owner: Vintage Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Airport: IKV, Ankeny Rgnl ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: none ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 18 knots, gusting 31 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: KIKV ## 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 20200311000769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200311000769A), Mar 11, 2020: Aeronca 7AC, Ankeny, IA, Substantial damage. The aircraft had just returned from a flight with another pilot. The pilot involved in the accident was alone. After multiple attempts to start the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N83032 (1) 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. - [NTSB MKC84LA073](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC84LA073), Feb 13, 1984: Aeronca 7AC (N83032), Lawrence, KS, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 3, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101069. 2.0 MB in all. - Pilot Statement (item 1, .PDF, 306 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484084&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484085&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.