# NTSB ERA10LA139: Bellanca 7ECA, N1075E, Canon, GA, February 7, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 7, 2010, 12:50 local (17:50 UTC) - Place: Canon, GA - Coordinates: 34.340278, -83.130554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3403&lon=-83.1306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75356 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75356/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75356 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10LA139 ## Probable cause The Luscombe pilot's improper engine starting procedures. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Bellanca 7ECA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1220460), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the Luscombe hand-propped his airplane to move it to another location on the airport. The engine started at a high power setting, and the airplane's left and right main landing gear "jumped" the chocks. A Bellanca was standing with the engine operating, while its pilot was preparing for takeoff. The pilot of a Bellanca heard an engine rev and then saw the Luscombe coming towards him from the left, but was unable to taxi out of its path prior to impact. The propeller of the Luscombe struck the Bellanca's left wing, resulting in substantial damage. The Luscombe sustained minor damage to its propeller and engine cowling. ## Factual narrative On February 7, 2010, about 1250 eastern standard time, a Bellanca 7ECA, N1075E, was substantially damaged when it was struck on the ground by a Luscombe 8A, N2354K, at Franklin County Airport (18A), Canon, Georgia. The certificated private pilot of the Bellanca, and the certificated private pilot of the Luscombe, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot of the Bellanca had not filed a flight plan for the intended personal flight, conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot of the Luscombe indicated that there was no intention for flight with his airplane. The pilot of the Bellanca stated that he was sitting on the ramp after fueling and heard an engine "revving up." He looked up and saw the Luscombe coming towards him from the left. The pilot stated that he "went full throttle" and attempted to taxi out of the Luscombe's path, but the Luscombe was approaching too quickly. According to the pilot of the Luscombe, he was not feeling well and intended to move his airplane from its parking location near the fuel pump, to another location on the airport. He stated that he chocked the left and right main landing gear and "hand-propped" the engine. The engine started at a "high speed, and the pilot attempted to hold onto the airplane's left wing strut. The airplane's right main landing gear "jumped" the chock, and the airplane began to "pivot" on the left main landing gear. The left main landing gear then “jumped the chock,” and the airplane's propeller struck the left wing of the Bellanca. Examination of both airplanes by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing of the Bellanca. The Luscombe sustained minor damage to the propeller and engine cowling. The pilot of the Luscombe held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued in April, 2009. He reported 881 hours of total flight experience; of which, 238 hours were in the accident airplane. His most recent flight review was conducted in February, 2009, in the accident airplane. The nearest weather reporting station, located approximately 23 nautical miles northeast of the accident location, reported 10 statute miles visibility and few clouds at 3,200 feet about the time of the accident. Review of the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A) revealed, "An engine should not be hand propped unless two people, both familiar with the airplane and hand propping techniques, are available to perform the procedure. The person pulling the propeller blades through directs all activity and is in charge of the procedure. The other person, thoroughly familiar with the controls, must be seated in the airplane with the brakes set…The procedure should never be attempted alone." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1075E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1075E), registered now, S/N 1214-77, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELLANCA 7ECA - Registry model: [Bellanca 7ECA](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-7eca) (registry code 1220460) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1214-77 - Airframe hours: 3987 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Evert T Snow - Registered owner: Evert T Snow - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2010, 10 hours before - Departed: 18A, Canon, GA - Destination: 18A, Canon, GA - Airport: 18A, Franklin County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 5, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 432 total, 150 in this make and model, 371 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: AND, 23 nm away ## 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 20100207027311A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100207027311A), Feb 7, 2010: Bellanca 7ECA, Canon, GA, Substantial damage. N1075E on ramp preparing to taxi. N2354K hand prop started, jumped chocks and struck N1075E on the left wing. ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75356. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N1075E) (item 1, .PDF, 406 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N1075E)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (N2354K) (item 2, .PDF, 566 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(N2354K)-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (N2354K) (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40332136&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement%20(N2354K)-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 11 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331865&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Bellanca Photo (Courtesy FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 164 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40331866&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Bellanca%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.