# NTSB ERA15CA095: Cessna A185E, N70037, Lewiston, ME, January 7, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 7, 2015, 09:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Lewiston, ME - Coordinates: 44.157501, -70.481391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1575&lon=-70.4814&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 July 27, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 90586 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90586/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90586 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA095 ## 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 parked airplanes. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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 A185E, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna A185E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/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 A185E, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072818), [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 A185E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072818), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while preparing for the flight, he initiated the engine starting procedure. This procedure included steps to advance the throttle and engage the electric fuel pump, in order to prime the fuel system. A subsequent step required that the throttle setting be reduced to idle position before engaging the starter motor. The pilot stated that for this step, he unintentionally pulled the propeller control out instead of the throttle control, and when he engaged the starter, the engine started and immediately went to full RPM. The airplane then travelled across the ramp and struck two parked airplanes, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's left elevator. The airplane then went through an opening in a snowbank and came to rest about 150 yards from where it initially started. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that while preparing for the flight, he initiated the engine starting procedure. This procedure included steps to advance the throttle and engage the electric fuel pump, in order to prime the fuel system. A subsequent step required that the throttle setting be reduced to idle position before engaging the starter motor. The pilot stated that for this step, he unintentionally pulled the propeller control out instead of the throttle control, and when he engaged the starter, the engine started and immediately went to full RPM. The airplane then travelled across the ramp and struck two parked airplanes, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's left elevator. The airplane then went through an opening in a snowbank and came to rest about 150 yards from where it initially started. The pilot did not report any preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70037](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70037), registered now, S/N 18501905, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA A185E - Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18501905 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 5496 - Engines: Continental IO-520D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 2014, 50 hours before - Departed: 81B, Lewiston, ME - Destination: RUT, RUTLAND, VT - Airport: 81B, Oxford County Rgnl - Equipment: Onboard weather, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 28, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,170 total, 1,870 in this make and model, 2,144 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 9 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: KLEW, 11 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 20150107000222A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150107000222A), Jan 7, 2015: Cessna A185E, Oxford, ME, Substantial damage. After the pre-flight inspection the pilot initiated the starting procedure. The checklist starting procedure includes: 1. Advancing the throttle to the wide… ## Other investigations on N70037 (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 SEA81DYE07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81DYE07), Nov 15, 1980: Cessna 185 (N70037), Port Townsend, WA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 10, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90586. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records – KLEW METARS (item 2, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428951&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records%20%E2%80%93%20KLEW%20METARS-Master.PDF - Photo 1 Damaged Elevator From Left (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428952&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20Damaged%20Elevator%20From%20Left%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.