# NTSB LAX02LA293: Cessna 172H, N2469L, Weed, CA, September 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 22, 2002, 06:25 local (13:25 UTC) - Place: Weed, CA - Coordinates: 41.485, -122.459999 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4850&lon=-122.4600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55761 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA293 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55761/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA293 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to follow adequate hand propping engine starting procedures. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s) - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, taxi - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During a hand propping engine start operation, the engine started and the airplane jumped its chalks. The throttle was full open. Thereafter, the pilot fell to the ground and the runaway airplane flew several hundred yards until crashing into the ground and nosing over. The pilot had not tied down his airplane and believed that the engine's throttle had been positioned near idle. ## Factual narrative On September 22, 2002, about 0625 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172H, N2469L, impacted the median area of Interstate Highway 5, about 0.1 miles northwest of the Weed (uncontrolled) Airport, Weed, California. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot sustained a minor injury. The private pilot, who owned and operated the airplane, reported that he intended to make a personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. His destination was Fall River Mills, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that when he attempted to start the airplane's engine to initiate the flight he noted that the battery power was low. The propeller would not rotate. The pilot then exited the airplane and rotated the propeller by hand in an effort at starting the engine. The engine started, and the pilot fell to the ground when the airplane jumped over its chalks. Thereafter, the runaway airplane departed in a northwesterly direction and flew several hundred yards until crashing into the ground and nosing over. The pilot further stated to the Safety Board investigator that during the hand propping operation the airplane was not tied down or secured. The pilot also indicated that he believed the engine's throttle was set near the idle position; but he subsequently realized it was at full throttle. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2469L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2469L-2003-07-16), registration cancelled 2003-07-16, S/N 17255669, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172H - Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17255669 - Airframe hours: 3300 - Engines: Continental O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Scott D. Emry - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 9, 2002, 50 hours before - Departed: O46, Weed, CA - Destination: O89, Fall River Mill, CA - Airport: O46, Weed ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 25, 2001; flight hours: 773 total, 740 in this make and model, 740 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: SIY, 18 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 20020922024869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020922024869A), Sep 22, 2002: Cessna 172H, Weed, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was being hand propped when it got away from the pilot, took off without anyone on board, flew away from the airport and crashed on a highway.… 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.