# NTSB FTW96LA194: Champion 7AC, N351T, Pine Bluff, AR, May 1, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1996, 12:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Pine Bluff, AR
- Coordinates: 34.209789, -92.009071 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2098&lon=-92.0091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA194

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to follow proper starting procedures, and an inadequate tie-down.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

The pilot 'wrapped' a tie-down chain around the tailwheel shaft prior to hand-propping the airplane.  The 'rpm was too high' when the engine started and the airplane came loose from the tie-down and collided with a parked airplane.

## Factual narrative

On May 1, 1996, at 1215 central daylight time, a Champion 7AC, N351T, registered to a private owner, collided with a parked airplane after it was hand propped by the pilot and came loose from its tie down at Grider Field, Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91 and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was originating at the time of the accident and the intended destination was Benton, Arkansas.

The pilot reported that he "wrapped [a] tiedown chain around [the] tailwheel shaft" prior to hand propping the airplane.  The "rpm was too high" when the engine started and the airplane came loose from the tie down and struck a parked Cessna 152, N6127P.  There was substantial damage to the empennage and right wing of the Cessna.  The Champion sustained damage to the right wing, propeller, and windshield.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N351T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N351T), registered now, S/N 7AC-3266 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Champion 7AC
- Registry model: [Champion 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7ac) (registry code 21101MA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7AC-3266
- Airframe hours: 2897
- Engines: Continental C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill Henery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 7, 1996, 10 hours before
- Departed: PBF
- Destination: M99, BENTON, AR
- Airport: PBF, Grider Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,500 total, 600 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19960501009121A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960501009121A), May 1, 1996: Bbavia 7AC, Pine Bluff, AR, Substantial damage. Pilot hand propped aircraft, throttle highrpm, came loose from tie down, made wide right circle, hit plane. (-23) on Wednesday, may 1, 1996, at 12:15 CST, an…

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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