# NTSB LAX03LA136: Cessna 177RG, N1925Q, Redding, CA, April 11, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 11, 2003, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Redding, CA - Coordinates: 40.514999, -122.293334 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5150&lon=-122.2933&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: WP-FSDO-SACRAMENTO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56838 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56838/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper engine starting procedures, and his failure to maintain clearance with a parked airplane, resulting in a collision with the parked and unoccupied airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s) - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s) - object - aircraft parked/standing - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The solo airline transport pilot reported he was practicing flying from the right seat in preparation for a flight instructor certificate. During the engine start, the pilot indicated he inadvertently applied too much throttle prior to starting the engine. When the engine started, the airplane surged ahead, and he was unable to stop or turn it in time to avoid colliding with a nearby parked and unoccupied airplane. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or problems with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On April 11, 2003, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N1925Q, collided with a parked and unoccupied Piper PA-23-250, N14002, while starting the engine at the Redding Municipal Airport (RDD), Redding, California. The airplane was register to and operated by Jim & I Aviators, Inc., of Redding, California, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial. The local instructional flight was originating at the time of the accident. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was practicing flying from the right seat for his certified flight instructor certificate. During the engine start-up sequence, he inadvertently set the throttle position at 1/4-inch from full throttle, as opposed to the Cessna recommended setting of 1/4-inch from idle. He started the engine with insufficient pressure on the brake pedals to counteract the inadvertent throttle setting. The airplane rolled forward and began to veer to the right. The right wing of the Cessna passed over the left wing of a nearby, parked Piper and collided with the Piper's left propeller blade, which was vertically positioned,. After the pilot positioned the throttle to idle, the airplane came to a complete stop and he shut down the engine. The pilot stated that the Cessna sustained damage to the right wing's leading edge and right wing panels. The Piper incurred damage to the left propeller. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board's investigator-in-charge (IIC), the operator of the Cessna stated that he visited the accident site. He reported that prior to the accident, the Cessna was parked on the left side of the Piper and about 10 feet behind it. He noted skid marks, which he thought were an indication that the pilot had been applying brakes during the collision. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1925Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1925Q), registered now, S/N 177RG0325, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0325 - Airframe hours: 5281 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Jim & I Aviators Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, January 24, 2003, 43 hours before - Departed: RDD, REDDING, CA - Airport: RDD, Redding Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review December 12, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 2,407 total, 25 in this make and model, 2,120 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: RDD ## 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 20030411004639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030411004639A), Apr 11, 2003: Cessna 177RG, Redding, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot of the Cessna lost control of the airplane on start due to a high power setting. The airplane wing hit the propeller of a parked airplane,… ## Other investigations on N1925Q (2) 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. - [NTSB SEA08CA106](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA106), Apr 8, 2008: Cessna 177RG (N1925Q), Redding, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the pilot under instruction to lower the landing gear, the failure of both pilots to follow the landing checklist, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. - [NTSB FTW82FPG07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82FPG07), Dec 31, 1981: Cessna 177RG (N1925Q), Little Rock, AR, substantial damage 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.