# NTSB ERA11CA488: American Champion 8KCAB, N878AC, Leesburg, VA, September 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 10, 2011, 09:45 local (13:45 UTC) - Place: Leesburg, VA - Coordinates: 39.077777, -77.557502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0778&lon=-77.5575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81790 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA488 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81790/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81790 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA488 ## Probable cause The pilot did not follow the engine start checklist. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/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) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [American Champion 8KCAB, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2121000), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he went through the normal pre-flight and engine start checklist. To start the engine, he performed the following steps: mixture set full on (rich), fuel pump turned on for about 3 seconds (then off), mixture full off, throttle full open, and starter engaged. The engine started, and he pushed the mixture full on. The engine went to full power, and the airplane nosed down onto the taxiway, which resulted in the propeller striking the ground and the airplane’s firewall sustaining substantial damage. The pilot stated that, after review of the situation, it was apparent that he had not followed the starting checklist accurately in that the throttle should have been set to 1/2-inch open for starting instead of full open. He also stated that he should have placed his hand on the throttle immediately after the mixture control was pushed full on in order to retard the throttle after the engine started. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the airplane was in front of the hangar on the taxiway. He went through the normal pre-flight and engine start checklist. Prior to engine start, the mixture was set full rich, fuel pump set on for about 3 seconds (then off), then mixture full off, throttle at full open, and then the starter was engaged. The engine started and mixture was pushed full on. During startup, the engine went to full power, the aircraft pitched over onto the taxiway resulting in the propeller striking the ground and the airplane’s firewall incurring substantial damage. The engine was then secured and he exited the airplane uninjured. The airplane was place back onto its tail wheel and secured back into the hanger. The pilot stated, after review of the situation, it was apparent that the starting checklist was not followed accurately in that the throttle should have been set to ½ inch open for starting instead of full open, and hand placed on the throttle immediately after the mixture control was pushed in to retard the throttle after the engine started. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N878AC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N878AC), registered now, S/N 878-2001, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMERICAN CHAMPION AIRCRAFT 8KCAB - Registry model: [American Champion 8KCAB](https://openairdocs.org/model/american-champion-8kcab) (registry code 2121000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 878-2001 - Airframe hours: 2406 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: JYO, Leesburg, VA - Destination: JYO, Leesburg, VA - Airport: JYO, Leesburg Executive ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 23, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 4,023 total, 16 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KJYO ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81790. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40355847&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.