# NTSB FTW88LA117: Cessna 172A, N7317T, Cleveland, TX, June 8, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1988, 16:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Cleveland, TX
- Coordinates: 30.339658, -95.069175 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3397&lon=-95.0692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88LA117

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, passenger (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, taxi

## Analysis

THIS ACFT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND FLIPPED OVER. THE ACFT'S BATTERY WAS DEAD AND THE PLT HAND PROPPED THE ENG WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF CHOCKS OR AN EXPERIENCED INDIVIDUAL IN THE COCKPIT. THE ENG STARTED AND AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO BOARD THE ACFT, THE PASSENGER ADVANCED THE THROTTLE TO KEEP THE ENG FROM STALLING. AS THE ACFT ROLLED ACROSS THE RAMP, THE PASSENGER PANICED AND FURTHER ADVANCED THE THROTTLE. FBO PERSONNEL HAD TOLD THE PLT THAT THEY WOULD GO GET SOME JUMPER CABLES, BUT HE ELECTED NOT TO WAIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7317T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7317T-1991-02-11), registration cancelled 1991-02-11, S/N 46917 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46917
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carlie D. Thrasher
- Registered owner: Thrasher, Carlie D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1987, 40 hours before
- Departed: 6R3
- Destination: 1R9, CONROE, TX
- Airport: 6R3, Cleveland Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 3,000 total, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: IAH, 25 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 19880608019269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880608019269A), Jun 8, 1988: Cessna 172A, Cleveland, TX, Substantial damage. Engine started by propping. Passenger panicked. Unsecured aircraft ran into a ditch and flipped over.

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.

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