# NTSB GAA15CA008: Cessna 170A, N170TW, Palmetto, FL, March 12, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 12, 2015, 16:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Palmetto, FL
- Coordinates: 27.665277, -82.452774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.6653&lon=-82.4528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Prior to flight: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 1, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90877
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA008
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90877/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90877
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA008

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to use the proper hand propping procedures, resulting in a runaway airplane.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: airport structure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 50 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022042/cases.md)
- [Electrical power system: battery/charger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Prior to flight: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 170A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072304), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot and passenger were on a cross-country flight when the pilot noticed that the battery was no longer charging. After landing, the pilot decided to save battery power for the return flight by hand propping the airplane. He briefed the passenger for the hand start procedure, but did not realize the throttle was in the full throttle position. Upon starting, the engine went to full power. The pilot was unable to reenter the airplane before it made two tight left circles on the ramp and collided with an open hangar and the airplane inside. Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge FAA-8037-3a contains a section titled, "Hand Propping", which indicates to never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The section also indicates that an additional precaution includes placement of chalks in front of the main tires or if not feasible, the airplane's tail may be securely tied.

## Factual narrative

The pilot and passenger were on a cross-country flight when the pilot noticed that the battery was no longer charging. After landing, the pilot decided to save battery power for the return flight by hand propping the airplane. He briefed the passenger for the hand start procedure, but did not realize the throttle was in the full throttle position. Upon starting, the engine went to full power. The pilot was unable to reenter the airplane before it made two tight left circles on the ramp and collided with an open hangar and the airplane inside. Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge FAA-8037-3a contains a section titled, "Hand Propping", which indicates to never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The section also indicates that an additional precaution includes placement of chalks in front of the main tires or if not feasible, the airplane's tail may be securely tied.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N170TW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N170TW-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N 20197, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20197
- Year built: 1951
- Airframe hours: 4172
- Engines: CONT MOTOR C145 SERIES 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 2013
- Departed: SRQ, SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL
- Destination: SRQ, SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL
- Airport: 48X, Airport Manatee, runway 07, 3,120 × 100 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Handheld GPS, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2007; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 825 total, 610 in this make and model, 825 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KSRQ, 15 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 20150312002839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150312002839A), Mar 12, 2015: Cessna 170A, Palmetto, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot left srq at approximately 2:45PM local for airport manatee (48X) for a pleasure flight. Passenger not a pilot. Decided at 4:45PM to return to srq. They…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 26, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90877. 2.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 825 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426828&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 102 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426829&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426830&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record - Weather (item 4, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426831&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Weather-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 - Right Wing, Right Wing Strut, Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 398 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426832&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Right%20Wing,%20Right%20Wing%20Strut,%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Wings and Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40426833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Wings%20and%20Fuselage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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