# NTSB ERA15CA057: Cessna T182T, N6004S, St. Petersburg, FL, November 20, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 20, 2014, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: St. Petersburg, FL - Coordinates: 27.764999, -82.626945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7650&lon=-82.6269&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 January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90415/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90415 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA057 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly set the throttle prior to engine start, which resulted in a loss of control and collision with a hangar. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: [Cessna T182T, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Other: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Cessna T182T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072738), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had planned to depart on a local solo flight. He completed a preflight inspection of the airplane, which was parked outside of the pilot's hangar and pointed towards a set of hangars about 50 feet away. The pilot then primed the cylinders of the 335-horsepower engine with the throttle in the full open position, but forgot to retard the throttle to a one quarter position before starting the engine. When the engine started the airplane "leaped forward." The pilot quickly applied brakes, but the airplane accelerated across the taxiway and struck the opposing hangar and a parked airplane, which resulted in substantial damage to left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot had planned to depart on a local solo flight. He completed a preflight inspection of the airplane, which was parked outside of the pilot's hangar and pointed towards a set of hangars about 50 feet away. The pilot then primed the cylinders of the 335-horsepower engine with the throttle in the full open position, but forgot to retard the throttle to a one quarter position before starting the engine. When the engine started the airplane "leaped forward." The pilot quickly applied brakes, but the airplane accelerated across the taxiway and struck the opposing hangar and a parked airplane, which resulted in substantial damage to left wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that could have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6004S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6004S-2019-03-20), registration cancelled 2019-03-20, S/N T18208508, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA T182T - Registry model: [Cessna T182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t182t) (registry code 2072738) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-tio-540-ak1a) (registry code 42005, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T18208508 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1090 - Engines: Lycoming TIO-540-AK1A 335 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Fortune Gilbert S - Registered owner: Fortune Gilbert S - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 2014, 16 hours before - Departed: SPG, ST PETERSBURG, FL - Destination: SPG, St. Petersburg, FL - Airport: SPG, Albert Whitted - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 91; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: SPG ## 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 20141120022049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141120022049A), Nov 20, 2014: Cessna T182T, St. Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. PIC stated he failed to return the throttle to the start position. The engine started with full throttle. The aircraft moved forward and struck the hangar… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90415. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 473 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum for Record, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Weather Report and Record (item 3, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420401&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Report%20and%20Record-Master.PDF - Photograph #1: View of Left Side of Airplane in Pilot's Hangar (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 437 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420402&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20View%20of%20Left%20Side%20of%20Airplane%20in%20Pilot%27s%20Hangar%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photograph #2: View of Left Wing of Airplane at Accident Site (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 470 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420403&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%3A%20View%20of%20Left%20Wing%20of%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site%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.