# NTSB CHI96LA354: Cessna 172L, N7216Q, Delavan, WI, September 29, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1996, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Delavan, WI
- Coordinates: 42.619541, -88.630432 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6195&lon=-88.6304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10403
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA354
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10403/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA354

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to assure the airplane was properly secured prior to hand-propping the engine.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - fence
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

The pilot was unable to start the airplane so he set the parking brake and hand-propped the engine.  The unoccupied airplane started, traveled off the ramp and collide with a fence and a ditch prior to coming to rest on the shoulder of a highway.  The pilot did not use chocks.

## Factual narrative

On September 29, 1996, at 1215 central daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N7216Q, collided with a fence and a ditch while being hand propped by a private pilot prior to flight.  The accident occurred at the Lake Lawn Airport, Delavan, Wisconsin.  The pilot who was outside the airplane was not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

The pilot reported that the starter would not engage so he set the parking brake and hand propped the engine.  The engine started and the airplane traveled across the ramp with no one at the controls.  The airplane collided with a fence and a ditch.  One witness reported, "It then stood on it's nose, then fell, left wing first and rolled up onto the shoulder of Highway 50 where it came to rest."

The pilot reported that he did not use chocks under the wheels while hand propping the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7216Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7216Q), registered now, S/N 17260516, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260516
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cougar Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: C-59
- Airport: C59, Lake Lawn

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 101 total, 28 in this make and model, 69 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19960929030279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960929030279A), Sep 29, 1996: Cessna 172L, Delavan, WI, Substantial damage. Pilot had propped aircraft, started to move, ran off ramp, in a ditch and fence, onto highway where came to rest. (-23) on September 29, 1996, at 1215 central…

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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