# NTSB ERA16CA264: Aeronca 7BCM, N1639E, Connellsville, PA, July 20, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 20, 2016, 09:57 local (13:57 UTC) - Place: Connellsville, PA - Coordinates: 39.959167, -79.657501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9592&lon=-79.6575&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 22, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93648 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93648/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93648 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA264 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to properly set the throttle and secure the airplane before hand-propping the engine for startup. ## 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: [Aeronca 7BCM/CONV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2110145), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: incomplete action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM/CONV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/cases.md?model=2110145), [All aircraft, 105 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041040/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: [Aeronca 7BCM/CONV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=2110145), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM/CONV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=2110145), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/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: AC/prop/rotor contact w person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM/CONV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md?model=2110145), [All aircraft, 61 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/081/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Aeronca 7BCM/CONV, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2110145), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he hand-propped the engine, boarded the airplane, and began to taxi and that, shortly thereafter, the engine "sputtered and stalled." He then realized that he had left the fuel selector in the "off" position. He set the parking brake, turned the fuel on, exited the airplane, and hand-propped the engine again. The engine started and ran at a high rpm. The airplane moved forward and began to spin in circles. The pilot attempted to get back in the cockpit; however, the door had swung closed, and the airplane struck him, knocking him to the ground. The airplane spun a few more times before striking a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, and coming to a stop. Afterward, the pilot recalled that he had forgotten to retard the throttle before attempting the second engine start. The airplane was not equipped with an electric starter. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he hand-propped the engine, boarded the airplane and began to taxi. Shortly thereafter, the engine "sputtered and stalled." He then realized that he had left the fuel selector in the off position. He set the parking brake, turned the fuel on, exited the airplane and hand-propped the engine again. The engine started and ran at a high rpm. The airplane moved forward and began to spin in circles. The pilot attempted to get back in the cockpit; however, the door had swung closed and the airplane struck him, knocking him to the ground. The airplane spun a few more times before striking a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing, and coming to a stop. Afterward, the pilot recalled that he had forgotten to retard the throttle before attempting the second engine start. The airplane was not equipped with an electric starter. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1639E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1639E-2017-02-07), registration cancelled 2017-02-07, S/N 7AC-5204, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 7BCM - Registry model: [Aeronca 7BCM/CONV](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7bcm-conv) (registry code 2110145) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85-8](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-8) (registry code 17119, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7AC-5204 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 4135 - Engines: Continental C-85-8 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 2015 - Departed: VVS, Connellsville, PA - Destination: VVS, Connellsville, PA - Airport: VVS, Joseph A Hardy Connellsville ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 28, 2016; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 700 total, 700 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KMGW, 22 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 20160720011339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160720011339A), Jul 20, 2016: Aeronca 7BCM/CONV, Connellsville, PA, Substantial damage. The pilot initially hand propped the aircraft engine (aircraft not equipped with an electric starter), got in the aircraft and began to taxi. The aircraft… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 4, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93648. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Witness (item 2, .PDF, 333 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454840&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Witness-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454841&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.PDF - FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (Excerpt) (item 4, .PDF, 970 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454842&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Airplane%20Flying%20Handbook%20(Excerpt)-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.