# NTSB GAA15CA057: Cessna 182T, N53310, St Marys, PA, May 3, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 3, 2015, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: St Marys, PA
- Coordinates: 41.411388, -78.507225 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4114&lon=-78.5072&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: Alleghany FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 91112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91112/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91112
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA057

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to rotate the propeller by hand without properly securing the airplane.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Power plant](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation; cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 198 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057100/cases.md)
- [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Prior to flight: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Cessna 182T, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072703), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, following preflight inspection he attempted to start the engine with the electrical starter but was unable to get the engine to turn over. He turned the magnetos to the off position and then got out of the airplane to "turn the prop through," but was not attempting to hand prop the engine. When the pilot rotated the propeller by hand, the engine started and the airplane immediately began moving forward. He attempted to enter the airplane but was unable to stop the airplane before it impacted an airport building. A passenger was sitting in the front right seat of the airplane and was able to evacuate the airplane after it collided with a building. The pilot stated that he should have chocked the wheels, but he was not planning on starting the engine. According to the airport manager who responded within minutes after the accident, he observed the ignition key selected to the left magneto, and then turned the key off during the post-accident emergency response. The airport manager also reported that the throttle was in the full forward position and the mixture was in the full rich position. During a post-accident examination, a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector found no anomalies with the ignition wiring system or magneto P-leads. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, following preflight inspection he attempted to start the engine with the electrical starter but was unable to get the engine to turn over. He turned the magnetos to the off position and then got out of the airplane to "turn the prop through," but was not attempting to hand prop the engine. When the pilot rotated the propeller by hand, the engine started and the airplane immediately began moving forward. He attempted to enter the airplane but was unable to stop the airplane before it impacted an airport building. A passenger was sitting in the front right seat of the airplane and was able to evacuate the airplane after it collided with a building. The pilot stated that he should have chocked the wheels, but he was not planning on starting the engine. According to the airport manager who responded within minutes after the accident, he observed the ignition key selected to the left magneto, and then turned the key off during the post-accident emergency response. The airport manager also reported that the throttle was in the full forward position and the mixture was in the full rich position. During a post-accident examination, a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector found no anomalies with the ignition wiring system or magneto P-leads. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53310](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53310), registered now, S/N 18281199, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182T (T)
- Registry model: [Cessna 182T](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182t) (registry code 2072703) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18281199
- Year built: 2003
- Airframe hours: 1231
- Engines: Continental IO-550 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 27, 2015
- Departed: OYM, ST MARYS, PA
- Destination: PEO, PENN YAN, NY
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: OYM, St Marys Muni
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Onboard weather, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 27, 2014; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 625 total, 625 in this make and model, 575 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: KFIG, 22 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 20150503010459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150503010459A), May 3, 2015: Cessna 182T, St. Marys, PA, Destroyed. The allegheny FSDO was notified that an aircraft had struck the terminal building at the St. Marys, PA municipal airport on may 3, 2005, at approximately 12:26…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91112. 1.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428552&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Record of Conversation (FAA Inspector) (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428553&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(FAA%20Inspector)-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Airport Manager-KOYM) (item 3, .PDF, 69 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428554&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Airport%20Manager-KOYM)-Master.PDF
- Record of Conversation (Pilot in Command) (item 4, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428555&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot%20in%20Command)-Master.PDF
- Photo 1 – Airplane in Building (Courtesy of Police Dept.) (item 5, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428556&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20in%20Building%20(Courtesy%20of%20Police%20Dept.)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 – Left Wing (Courtesy of Police Dept.) (item 6, .PDF, 345 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428557&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Wing%20(Courtesy%20of%20Police%20Dept.)-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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