# NTSB CHI89DEM08: Mooney M20, N5292B, West Branch, MI, September 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1989, 16:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: West Branch, MI
- Location: 44.2448° N, 84.1798° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WEST BRANCH COMMUNITY (Y31), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2448&lon=-84.1798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14200
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEM08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14200/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEM08

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO HAND PROP THE ENGINE WITH A NON-PILOT AT THE CONTROLS AND THE PASSENGER'S APPLICATION TO FULL THROTTLE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS PANIC OF THE PASSENGER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, passenger (cause)
  - panic, passenger (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - pole

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5292B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5292B-1990-04-06), registration cancelled 1990-04-06, S/N 1134 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MOONEY M20
- Registry model: [Mooney M20](https://openairdocs.org/model/mooney-m20) (registry code 5870202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1134
- Airframe hours: 269
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A3A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward H. Hake
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 10, 1989, 62 hours before
- Destination: LUK, CINCINNATI, OH
- Airport: Y31, W Branch Community

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 463 total, 158 in this make and model, 463 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: Y31

## 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 19890904035409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890904035409A), Sep 4, 1989: Mooney M20, West Branch, MI, Substantial damage. Hand propped engine started. Passenger opened throttle. Aircraft struck a ditch and stopped. Aircraft not secured.

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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