# NTSB GAA18CA295: Luscombe 8, N77922, Batavia, OH, May 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 24, 2018, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Batavia, OH - Coordinates: 39.078334, -84.210556 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0783&lon=-84.2106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97315 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA295 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97315/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97315 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA295 ## Probable cause The student pilot’s use of an improper engine hand-propping procedure, which resulted in the airplane’s unexpected movement. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 39 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Luscombe 8A, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8190104), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that, while hand-propping the engine, the engine started at full power, and the airplane jumped over the chocks and began moving in circles. Subsequently, to stop the airplane, an airport vehicle was driven into the airplane's tail. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student recommended that better control of the throttle could have prevented the accident. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that, while hand-propping the engine, the engine started at full power, and the airplane jumped over the chocks and began moving in circles. Subsequently, to stop the airplane, an airport vehicle was driven into the airplane's tail. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The student reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The student recommended that better control of the throttle could have prevented the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77922](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77922-2018-12-17), registration cancelled 2018-12-17, S/N 3649, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LUSCOMBE 8 (A) - Registry model: [Luscombe 8A](https://openairdocs.org/model/luscombe-8a) (registry code 8190104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3649 - Year built: 1946 - Airframe hours: 1672 - Engines: Continental 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 2, 2018 - Departed: I69, Batavia, OH - Destination: I69, Batavia, OH - Airport: I69, Clermont County - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 75; injuries: minor; student; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 106 total, 4 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KLUK, 10 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 20180524005879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180524005879A), May 24, 2018: Luscombe 8A, Batavia, OH, Destroyed. On may 24, 2018, N77922 was destroyed on the ramp at Clermont County Airport (I69) after engine start. The pilot chalked the left main wheel then attempted to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 2, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97315. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465692&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 512 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40465693&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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. --- 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.