# NTSB CHI06CA170: Cessna 150G, N3366J, Indianapolis, IN, June 27, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2006, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Indianapolis, IN - Coordinates: 39.843612, -85.896942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8436&lon=-85.8969&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64176 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA170 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64176/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA170 ## Probable cause The pilot intentionally leaving the airplane unoccupied during the engine start and the failure of the tail tie-down, which ultimately resulted in the unoccupied airplane becoming airborne. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s) - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - misc eqpt/furnishings,aircraft tie-down(s) - failure (contributing factor) - lift-off - uncontrolled (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The unoccupied airplane inadvertently became airborne and crashed shortly after the pilot hand-propped the engine. The pilot reported that he attempted to hand-prop the engine because the aircraft's battery had insufficient charge to utilize the electric starter. The pilot stated that he "tied the tail down" with an automotive style, webbed cargo strap. The pilot reported that after successfully starting the engine, the tail tie-down failed as he repositioned himself to get into the cabin. The pilot stated that he reached "in through the window and tried to pull the mixture out, but could not reach it." The pilot reported that he hung onto the aircraft as it began to accelerate forward, and believes he "moved the throttle more open" before having to let go of the airplane due to its increasing ground speed. The unoccupied airplane eventually became airborne and crashed about one mile from the ramp area. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had used wheel chocks, utilized another tie-down on the tail, or had a person at the aircraft's controls during the hand-start. ## Factual narrative The unoccupied airplane inadvertently became airborne and crashed shortly after the pilot hand-propped the engine. The pilot reported that he attempted to hand-prop the engine because the aircraft's battery had insufficient charge to utilize the electric starter. The pilot stated that he "tied the tail down" with an automotive style, webbed cargo strap. The pilot reported that after successfully starting the engine, the tail tie-down failed as he repositioned himself to get into the cabin. The pilot stated that he reached "in through the window and tried to pull the mixture out, but could not reach it." The pilot reported that he hung onto the aircraft as it began to accelerate forward, and believes he "moved the throttle more open" before having to let go of the airplane due to its increasing ground speed. The unoccupied airplane eventually became airborne and crashed about one mile from the ramp area. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had used wheel chalks, utilized another tie-down on the tail, or had a person at the aircraft's controls during the hand-start. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3366J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3366J-2014-10-07), registration cancelled 2014-10-07, S/N 15066066, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 150G - Registry model: [Cessna 150G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150g) (registry code 2071816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15066066 - Airframe hours: 3950 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005, 50.2 hours before - Departed: MQJ, Indianapolis, IN - Destination: Indianapolis, IN - Airport: MQJ, Mount Comfort ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; flight hours: 560 total, 373 in this make and model, 447 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: GEZ, 16 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 20060627012999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060627012999A), Jun 27, 2006: Cessna 150G, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot/owner elected to "handprop" aircraft after battery depleted during unsuccessful normal start attempt. Tail tie-down ring of aircraft was secured to… ## Other investigations on N3366J (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 ATL93LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA017), Oct 23, 1992: Cessna 150 (N3366J), Powell, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE WATER IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL AS A RESULT OF THE IMPROPER PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT. 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.