LAX03LA062

NTSB accident investigation · Aeronca 7AC · Jean, NV · January 9, 2003

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
January 9, 2003, 13:30 local (21:30 UTC)
Place
Jean, NV
Injuries
3 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 2 minor
Phase of flight
Standing
Aircraft
N84889Aeronca 7ACN68820Boeing Stearman PT-17
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 28, 2004
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20030109037739A
Case key
56309

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot of the other airplane's use of an improper starting procedure and his failure to obtain appropriate assistance.

The pilot's use of an improper starting procedure and his failure to obtain appropriate assistance.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Standing - starting engine(s)
Object - aircraft parked/standing
Starting procedure - improperPilot in commandCause
Proper assistance - not obtainedPilot in commandCause
Collision between aircraft (other than midair)Standing - engine(s) operating
Object - aircraft parked/standing
Starting procedure - improperPilot of other aircraftCause
Proper assistance - not obtainedPilot of other aircraftCause

Analysis

The pilot of the Aeronca was attempting to hand prop his airplane to start the engine without it being secured and without anyone at the controls. When the Aeronca did start, it got away from both the pilot and the individual who was attempting to hold the tail, and collided with the PT-17. Another bystander tried to help stop the Aeronca but was knocked down on the ground and struck his head. The airplane then turned to the right until the right front of the Aeronca struck the right front of the PT-17, which was waiting in the run-up area, with the engine idling, to depart with the Aeronca as a flight of two.

The pilot was attempting to hand prop his airplane without it being secured, and without anyone at the controls. When the Aeronca did start, it got away from both the pilot and the individual who was attempting to hold the tail, and collided with another airplane. Another bystander tried to help stop the Aeronca but was knocked down on the ground and struck his head. The airplane then turned to the right until the right front of the Aeronca struck the right front of Boeing PT-17, which was waiting in the run-up area, with the airplane engine idling, to depart with the Aeronca as a flight of two.

Factual narrative

On January 9, 2003, about 1330 Pacific standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N84889, collided with a Boeing Stearman PT-17, N68820, at the Jean, Nevada, airport after the airplane started and left its parking place while being hand propped. Both airplanes were being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Both airplanes received substantial damage. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, in the Boeing was not injured. The private pilot of the Aeronca was not injured; however, an individual who had been holding the tail, as well as a bystander who attempted to render assistance, both received minor injuries. The intended personal cross-country flight was to depart Jean, en route to the North Las Vegas, Nevada airport. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot of the Aeronca was attempting to hand prop his airplane without it being secured and without anyone at the controls.

When the Aeronca did start, it got away from both the pilot and the individual who was attempting to hold the tail. Another bystander tried to help stop the Aeronca but was knocked down on the ground and struck his head. The airplane then turned to the right until the right front of the Aeronca struck the right front of the Boeing.

The pilot of the Boeing was waiting in the run-up area, with the airplane engine idling, and was waiting to depart with the Aeronca as a flight of two.

On January 9, 2003, about 1330 Pacific standard time, an Aeronca 7AC, N84889, collided with a Boeing Stearman PT-17, N68820, at the Jean, Nevada, airport after the airplane started and left its parking place while being hand propped. Both airplanes were being operated under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Both airplanes received substantial damage. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, in the Boeing was not injured. The private pilot of the Aeronca was not injured; however, an individual who had been holding the tail, as well as a bystander who attempted to render assistance, both received minor injuries. The intended personal cross-country flight was to depart Jean, en route to the North Las Vegas, Nevada airport. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot of the Aeronca was attempting to hand prop his airplane without it being secured and without anyone at the controls.

When the Aeronca did start, it got away from both the pilot and the individual who was attempting to hold the tail. Another bystander tried to help stop the Aeronca but was knocked down on the ground and struck his head. The airplane then turned to the right until the right front of the Aeronca struck the right front of the Boeing.

The pilot of the Boeing was waiting in the run-up area, with the airplane engine idling, and was waiting to depart with the Aeronca as a flight of two.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N84889
Reported as
Aeronca 7AC
Category
Airplane
Serial number
7AC3608
Airframe hours
1,233.99
Engine
Continental C90-12F, 90 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Wyatt, Kenneth H
Registered owner
Kenneth H. Wyatt and Phyllis P. Wyatt Family Trust
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · November 6, 2002 · 6.8 hours before
Departed
0L7 · Jean Airport, NV
Destination
VGT · North Las Vegas, NV
Airport
0L7 · Jean

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Registration
N68820
Reported as
Boeing Stearman PT-17
Category
Airplane
Serial number
75-5350
Engine
Lycoming R680, 225 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Kodimer, Ronald A.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · December 10, 2002 · 2 hours before
Departed
Jean, NV
Destination
VGT · North las Vegas, NV
Airport
0L7 · Jean

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot, aircraft N84889
Age
68
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
February 27, 2001
Flight hours
3,300 total · 25 in this make and model · 3,300 as pilot in command · 49 in the last 90 days · 17 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Role
Pilot, aircraft N68820
Age
67
Injuries
None
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Last flight review
January 22, 2001
Seat
Rear
Flight hours
1,888 total · 40 in this make and model · 1,888 as pilot in command · 13 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
90° at 8 knots
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
59 °F, dew point 46 °F
Altimeter
30.03 inHg

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2004, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 876 KB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N84889 · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.