# NTSB CHI83LA372: Cessna 177B, N35083, Wheeling, IL, August 7, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 7, 1983, 09:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Wheeling, IL
- Coordinates: 42.129222, -87.919715 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1292&lon=-87.9197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12301
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA372
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12301/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA372

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - starting engine(s)
  - engine accessories,engine starter - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENG USING NORMAL PROCEDURES. HE OBTAINED THE USE OF AN APU & STILL COULD NOT MAKE AN ELECTRICAL START. HE STATED THAT HE TURNED THE MAGNETO & MASTER SWITCHES OFF & ROTATED THE PROPELLER (PROP) BACKWARDS 1/2 TURN (TO CHECK FOR BINDING) BUT NO BINDING WAS NOTED. ANOTHER APU START WAS ATTEMPTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE TURNED THE MAGNETO & MASTER SWITCHES OFF AGAIN & INTENDED TO TURN THE PROP FORWARD ABOUT 5 DEG. HE STATED THAT 'UPON TOUCHING THE PROP, ENG FIRED & PROP HIT RIGHT ARM CAUSING COMPOUND, MULTIPLE FRACTURE.' THE LINE CHIEF STATED THAT HE & THE PLT VERIFIED THAT THE SWITCHES WERE IN THE OFF POSITION. HOWEVER, LATER, WHEN THE IGNITION SYS WAS CHECKED, NO DISCREPANCIES WERE FOUND. ALSO, AN AD HAD BEEN COMPLIED WITH TO PREVENT IGNITION WHEN THE SWITCH WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. ADDITIONALLY, THE STARTER WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED (BURNED OUT).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35083](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35083), registered now, S/N 17702196, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702196
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Planeshack
- Registered owner: Douglas Maxwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: Pal-Waukee

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 656 total, 11 in this make and model, 465 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830807041469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830807041469A), Aug 7, 1983: Cessna 177B, Wheeling, IL. Unable to start engine. Tried to reposition prop by hand. Engine started. Prop struck pilots arm. Starter was bad.

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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