# NTSB CHI85FEX01: Cessna 404, N68103, Indianapolis, IN, May 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1985, 02:49 local (07:49 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Coordinates: 39.730651, -86.290634 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7307&lon=-86.2906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85FEX01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85FEX01

## 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)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, other person (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, other person (cause)

## Analysis

THE RIGHT PROP STRUCK A PERSON WHO WAS LOADING FREIGHT ONTO THE ACFT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD STARTED THE RIGHT ENG TO BRING IT UP TO OPERATING TEMP TO DEFORST THE WINDSCREEN. HE STATED THE ENG HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR APRX 3 MINUTES WHEN HE FELT SOMETHING STRIKE THE ACFT. THE ACFT WAS CHOCKED AND THE BRAKES WERE SET WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N68103 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 404
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4040854
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Napier Air Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 1986, 1,283 hours before
- Departed: IND
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,103 total, 498 in this make and model, 3,736 as pilot in command, 239 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IND

## 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 19850502039699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850502039699A), May 2, 1985: Cessna 404CESSNA, Indianapolis, IN. Freight handler contacted moving propeller. Engine had been started to defrost windshield during cargo loading.

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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