# NTSB CHI96LA206: Mitchell T Champabria, N96RM, Kalamazoo, MI, June 14, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 14, 1996, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Kalamazoo, MI
- Coordinates: 42.269004, -85.580551 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2690&lon=-85.5806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10281
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10281/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA206

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper positioning of the throttle, while hand propping the aircraft engine, and his failure to either obtain proper assistance or properly secure the airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground tie-down rope/strap - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

The accident occurred while the pilot was hand propping the engine after it had flooded. The magnetos were on and the throttle was open. The engine started, and the airplane traveled (unoccupied) into a garage type building on the airstrip.

## Factual narrative

On June 14, 1996, at 0730 eastern daylight time, a Mitchell T Champabria, N96RM, collided with a building and a vehicle while being hand propped in preparation for takeoff at the Austin Lake Airport, Kalamazoo, Michigan.  There was no one in the airplane at the time of the collision.  The pilot who was outside the airplane hand propping it received serious injuries.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported that he flooded the engine during the initial starting attempt.  He was hand propping the engine with the magnetos on and the throttle open.  The engine started and the airplane traveled into the side of a garage type building on the airstrip.  The airplane reportedly damaged a vehicle which was parked inside the building.

The pilot reported on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he should have closed the throttle before hand propping the engine.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96RM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96RM), registered now, S/N 001, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Mitchell T CHAMPABRIA (T CHAMPABR)
- Registry model: [Mitchell Ronald L T CHAMPABRIA](https://openairdocs.org/model/mitchell-ronald-l-t-champabria) (registry code 05626SQ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1B 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald L. Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 09C
- Destination: 09C
- Airport: 09C, Austin Lake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 879 total, 32 in this make and model, 832 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19960614016629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960614016629A), Jun 14, 1996: Kalamazoo, MI, Substantial damage. Hand propped engine. Throttle full open. Homebuilt traveled 60YARDS. Struck building. Pilot broke his leg. (-23) pilot hand propped aircraft with throttle in…

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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