# NTSB ERA20CA276: Cessna 177RG, N2629V, Lakeland, FL, July 26, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 26, 2020, 15:05 local (19:05 UTC) - Place: Lakeland, FL - Coordinates: 27.987499, -82.01889 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9875&lon=-82.0189&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101746 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA276 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101746/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101746 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA276 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane during the attempted engine start. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177RG, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/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 177RG, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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 177RG, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2073709), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while preparing to start the engine, he felt stressed and rushed because he was departing later than planned, and the weather forecast along his intended route was forecast to deteriorate as the day progressed. He followed the checklist, though after the accident he was unsure if he had properly set the parking brake or he may have inadvertently disengaged the brake with his leg/knee, which had occurred previously. After the engine did not start on the first attempt, he followed the flooded engine procedure, which included setting the throttle to the ½ position. When the engine started on the second attempt, the airplane began rolling forward. He attempted to stop using the brakes, but his sandals, which were wet, slipped off the rudder pedals. He further stated that “in a panic, I rapidly advanced the throttle instead of retarding it.” The airplane struck a building and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and engine mount. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2629V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2629V), registered now, S/N 177RG0635, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG (No Series) - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0635 - Year built: 1975 - Airframe hours: 4123 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2020 - Departed: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Destination: EYW, Key West, FL - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: LAL, Lakeland Linder Intl - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, 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 June 26, 2020; seat: left; flight hours: 168 total, 18 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: LAL, 2 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 20200726011429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200726011429A), Jul 26, 2020: Cessna 177RG, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Lakeland, FL: N2629V, C177, after startup on ramp, aircraft went to full power and pilot failed to stop aircraft in time before it struck the FBO building with… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 15, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101746. 6.7 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 6.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11344645&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-01%20NTSB%206120_1%20N2629V%20Sellers_b_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation- FAA inspector (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11344482&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=01-02%20-%20Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector_ERA20CA276-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 326 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11344492&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=06-01-%20photo%20array_20CA276-Rel.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.