# NTSB ERA14CA314: Cessna 172L, N7867G, Danbury, CT, June 28, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 28, 2014, 10:40 local (14:40 UTC) - Place: Danbury, CT - Coordinates: 41.373611, -73.483612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3736&lon=-73.4836&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: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA314 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89559/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89559 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA314 ## Probable cause The pilot's use of a person unfamiliar with aviation and his failure to properly secure the airplane during hand starting of the engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) - [Knowledge: aeronautical knowledge](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032035): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Passenger; cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032035/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Passenger; cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/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 collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that following preflight inspection of the airplane he attempted to start the engine using the starter but was unable. He indicated this to be, "an on-and-off issue…" in that he had to hand start the engine once during 5 attempts prior to 5 separate flights the previous weekend. He elected to hand start the engine without assistance because he was unable to locate personnel from the fixed base operator, and asked the non-rated passenger seated in the right front seat to apply the aircraft's brakes. With the airplane unsecured and the throttle applied "a little bit", the engine started. Initially the airplane did not move, but then began to move. He attempted to board the airplane but was unable and it began travelling faster. The airplane turned to the left, went between 2 rows of airplanes and impacted several parked unoccupied airplanes. The pilot further stated that he did not show the passenger how to activate the aircraft's brakes, and believes the passenger may have inadvertently applied left rudder in an attempt to stop the airplane, although the passenger told him he did not recall doing so. There were no injuries to the front or rear seat passengers, and there were no ground injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge contains a section titled, "Hand Propping" which indicates to never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The section also indicates that an additional precaution includes placement of chalks in front of the main tires or if not feasible, the airplane's tail may be securely tied. The excerpts are contained in the NTSB public docket. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that following preflight inspection of the airplane he attempted to start the engine using the starter but was unable. He indicated this to be, "an on-and-off issue…" in that he had to hand start the engine once during 5 attempts prior to 5 separate flights the previous weekend. He elected to hand start the engine without assistance because he was unable to locate personnel from the fixed base operator, and asked the non-rated passenger seated in the right front seat to apply the aircraft's brakes. With the airplane unsecured and the throttle applied "a little bit", the engine started. Initially the airplane did not move, but then began to move. He attempted to board the airplane but was unable and it began travelling faster. The airplane turned to the left, went between 2 rows of airplanes and impacted several parked unoccupied airplanes.The pilot further stated that he did not show the passenger how to activate the aircraft's brakes, and believes the passenger may have inadvertently applied left rudder in an attempt to stop the airplane, although the passenger told him he did not recall doing so. There were no injuries to the front or rear seat passengers, and there were no ground injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge contains a section titled, "Hand Propping" which indicates to never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The section also indicates that an additional precaution includes placement of chalks in front of the main tires or if not feasible, the airplane's tail may be securely tied. The excerpts are contained in the NTSB public docket. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7867G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7867G-2018-05-31), registration cancelled 2018-05-31, S/N 17259567, built 1970 (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: 17259567 - Year built: 1970 - Airframe hours: 5460 - Engines: LYCOMING 0-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jao-Shiang Luo - Registered owner: Mei-Chu Corp - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 11, 2014, 21 hours before - Departed: DXR, Danbury, CT - Destination: MVY, Vineyard Haven, MA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: DXR, Danbury Municipal Airport - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2013; seat: none; flight hours: 290 total, 235 in this make and model, 149 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: DXR ## 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 20140628012071A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140628012071A), Jun 28, 2014: Cessna 172L, Danbury, CT, Substantial damage. The pilot in command (PIC) arrived at Danbury Municipal Airport (kdxr) on June 28, 2014 with two passengers for the purpose of flying to martha?s vineyard… ## Other investigations on N7867G (1) 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. - [NTSB IAD71FLJ28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD71FLJ28), Jun 14, 1971: Cessna 172L (N7867G), Durham, NC, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89559. 6.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Report and Record (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417245&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20and%20Record-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot-In-Command (item 3, .PDF, 53 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417246&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-In-Command-Redacted.PDF - Excerpts from Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (item 4, .PDF, 291 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpts%20from%20Pilot%27s%20Handbook%20of%20Aeronautical%20Knowledge-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Engine Mount and Displaced Engine Assembly (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Engine%20Mount%20and%20Displaced%20Engine%20Assembly%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Left Aileron (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Left%20Aileron%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.