# NTSB GAA19CA091: Zlin Z143, N143GW, Chester, CT, December 10, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 10, 2018, 10:45 local (15:45 UTC) - Place: Chester, CT - Coordinates: 41.383335, -72.504722 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3833&lon=-72.5047&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98750 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA091 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98750/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98750 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA091 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of airplane control during the engine start. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Moravan Z143L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5920213), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Moravan Z143L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=5920213), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Moravan Z143L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=5920213), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-to runway: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Moravan Z143L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=5920213), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Moravan Z143L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5920213), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi-to runway: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Moravan Z143L, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5920213), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the initial engine start, he "cranked the engine several times," but the engine would not start. He then pumped the throttle about six times, and in a "split second," the engine surged to full rpm. He added that, despite fully applying the brakes, the airplane crossed over a ridge and went down an embankment. Subsequently, the airplane entered a parking lot, the left wing struck a lamp post, the airplane spun left, and it impacted another lamp post. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, the fuselage, and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the initial engine start, he "cranked the engine several times", but the engine would not start. He then pumped the throttle about 6 times, and in a "split second" the engine surged to full RPM. He added that despite having the brakes fully applied, the airplane crossed over a ridge and down an embankment. Subsequently, the airplane entered a parking lot, the left wing struck a lamp post, the airplane spun left, and impacted a second lamp post. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N143GW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143GW-2019-10-04), registration cancelled 2019-10-04, S/N 0039, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zlin Z143 (L) - Registry model: [Moravan Z143L](https://openairdocs.org/model/moravan-z143l) (registry code 5920213) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0039 - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 977 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3A5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 7, 2018 - Departed: SNC, Chester, CT - Destination: 0B8, Fishers Island, NY - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: SNC, Chester - Equipment: Stall warning system, Angle of attack indicator ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,099 total, 27 in this make and model, 822 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KSNC ## 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 20181210017899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181210017899A), Dec 10, 2018: Moravan Z143L, Chester, CT, Substantial damage. On December 10, 2018, civil aircraft N143GW, a morovan zlin, model Z143L, serial number 0039, was involved in an accident at Chester Airport (ksnc) located in… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 1, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98750. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 933 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471459&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 461 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40471460&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.