# NTSB ERA14CA176: Cessna 172B, N8988B, Mt Olive, NC, March 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 22, 2014, 10:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Mt Olive, NC - Coordinates: 35.221389, -78.038612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2214&lon=-78.0386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88986 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA176 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88986/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88986 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA176 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, when he attempted to start the airplane, "the battery was low." He exited the airplane, instructed the passenger to remain in the airplane and how to turn the magnetos on and off, and he utilized the tail tie down hook and secured the tail down with a rope on the ramp. The pilot hand-propped the engine, it started, the throttle was "too far in," and the airplane accelerated forward. The "old" tie down rope broke, the airplane continued forward, and the passenger in the airplane turned the magnetos to the "OFF" position. However, the airplane impacted a hangar and then came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and right wing during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane, other than the low battery, that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, when he attempted to start the airplane, "the battery was low." He exited the airplane, instructed the passenger to remain in the airplane and how to turn the magnetos on and off, and he utilized the tail tie down hook and secured the tail down with a rope on the ramp. The pilot hand-propped the engine, it started, the throttle was "too far in," and the airplane accelerated forward. The "old" tie down rope broke, the airplane continued forward, and the passenger in the airplane turned the magnetos to the "OFF" position. However, the airplane impacted a hangar and then came to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall and right wing during the accident sequence. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane, other than the low battery, that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8988B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8988B-2018-03-19), registration cancelled 2018-03-19, S/N 36688, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36688 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 2949 - Engines: CONT MOTOR O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 19, 2014 - Departed: W40, Mt Olive, NC - Destination: W40, Mt Olive, NC - Airport: W40, Mount Olive Muni - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2013; seat: none; flight hours: 85 total, 85 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: GSB, 9 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 20140322003059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140322003059A), Mar 22, 2014: Cessna 172, Mount Olive, NC, Substantial damage. Gso FSDO received telephone call on 3/24/2014 at 09:40 from mike bass at Mount Olive airport concerning an accident involving Cessna 172 c, registration… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88986. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 241 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 177 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Weather Observations GSB (item 4, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations%20GSB-Master.PDF - Photo 1. Damage to Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40411404&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201.%20Damage%20to%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%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.