# NTSB FTW94LA148: Cessna 140, N111NZ, Lancaster, TX, May 8, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 8, 1994, 12:25 local (17:25 UTC) - Place: Lancaster, TX - Coordinates: 32.589221, -96.779708 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.5892&lon=-96.7797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19051 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19051/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA148 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE TIE DOWNS AND PROPER ASSISTANCE DURING THE HAND PROPPING ENGINE START. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating - electrical system,battery - inoperative - tie down - not used, pilot in command (cause) - proper assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - aircraft parked/standing ## Analysis DUE TO A DEAD BATTERY, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO START THE AIRPLANE BY HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE WHILE HIS 14-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON OPERATED THE THROTTLE STANDING OUTSIDE THE RIGHT DOOR OF THE AIRPLANE. THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING AT ABOUT 1,400 RPM WHEN THE PILOT'S GRANDSON FELL DOWN. THE UNATTENDED AIRPLANE MOVED ACROSS THE TRANSIENT RAMP STRIKING THREE PARKED AIRPLANES. THE AIRPLANE WAS NEITHER TIED DOWN OR CHOCKED PRIOR TO THE ATTEMPTED START. THE PILOT MADE NO ATTEMPT TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM ANY OF THE MANY PILOTS THAT WERE PRESENT AT THE AIRPORT RESTAURANT AND LOUNGE. ## Factual narrative On May 8, 1994, at 1225 central daylight time, a Cessna 140, N111NZ, was substantially damaged while taxiing at the Lancaster Airport, near Lancaster, Texas. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured, while his passenger sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot attempted to start the airplane by hand propping the engine. The airplane was equipped with an electric starter; however, the pilot found that the battery was dead when he attempted to start the engine on the first flight of the day. The pilot's 14 year old grandson stood outside the right door of the airplane with his hand on the throttle. According to the pilot, the engine started running at about 1,400 RPM, his grandson apparently fell down and the unattended airplane moved across the transient ramp striking three parked airplanes, causing substantial damage to two, and minor damage to the third. The pilot stated that he managed to get into the left door, but was unable to stop the airplane. The pilot's grandson was struck in the back by the right horizontal stabilizer. According to witnesses at the airport, the airplane was neither chocked or tied down. Additionally, the FAA inspector stated that no request for assistance was made by the pilot to any of the many pilots that were present at the airport restaurant and lounge. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N111NZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N111NZ), registered now, S/N 12372, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 140 - Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12372 - Airframe hours: 2300 - Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Morris, Carol L.J. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 4TX2, ROANOKE, TX - Airport: LNC, Lancaster Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 25,250 total, 50 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 19940508010309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940508010309A), May 8, 1994: Cessna 140, Lancaster, TX, Substantial damage. Dead battery. Hand propped. Engine started. Plane hit three parked aircraft. Failed to secure and obtain assistance ## Other investigations on N111NZ (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 FTW87LA127](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA127), May 24, 1987: Cessna 140 (N111NZ), Waco, TX, substantial damage 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.