# NTSB LAX05CA024: Champion 7GCAA, N9081L, Petaluma, CA, October 28, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 28, 2004, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Petaluma, CA - Coordinates: 38.257778, -122.605552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2578&lon=-122.6056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60480 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60480/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA024 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to follow the published prestart, start, and shutdown procedures. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s) - object - aircraft parked/standing - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was adjusting the propeller's position by hand when the engine started, and the pilotless airplane taxied across the ramp and into a parked airplane. After numerous unsuccessful start attempts using the airplane's electric starter, the pilot examined the engine and adjusted the propeller by hand. When he adjusted the propeller the engine started. He had left the brakes off, the magnetos on, and the throttle advanced. After the engine started, the pilot backed away, and the airplane moved forward. The pilot attempted to arrest the movement by grabbing on to the right wing strut, but this action was unsuccessful. The airplane continued forward eventually impacting the nose onto the right front side of a parked airplane. The pilot's operating manual states in the before starting checklist to set the brakes, and in the starting checklist to crack the throttle open 1/2 to 1 inch. The shutdown checklist states the mixture should be idle - cut off and the magnetos off. ## Factual narrative On October 28, 2004, at 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Champion 7GCAA (Citabria), N9081L, collided with a tied down Cessna 182 on the ground after the engine started at Petaluma Airport, Petaluma, California. The pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and passenger were not injured, and the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed for the local area personal flight. The pilot stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he was attempting to start the plane with the electric starter but after each attempt the battery got weaker. He saw a white puff of smoke come out the left front side of the engine cowl. He exited the airplane and examined the engine; he then adjusted the propeller with his hand and the airplane started. Surprised by the sudden start, the pilot jumped to the side and attempted to arrest the airplane's movement by grabbing on to the right wing strut. His attempt failed and the airplane taxied into another parked airplane, striking it directly in its right front side. The pilot said that he had left the magneto switch in the "on" position. The passenger in the rear seat of the plane was not a pilot, and did not know how to apply the airplane's brakes. The pilot said that he was not trying to hand-prop the engine. A witness stated that he saw the airplane racing across the ramp at full throttle with the left engine cowl open. The pilot's operating manual for the Champion 7GCAA states in the before starting checklist to set the brakes, and in the starting checklist to crack the throttle open 1/2 to 1 inch. In the shutdown checklist the brakes are to be set, electrical equipment off, mixture - idle cut off, and magnetos off. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9081L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9081L), registered now, S/N 224-70, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Champion 7GCAA - Registry model: [Champion 7GCAA](https://openairdocs.org/model/champion-7gcaa) (registry code 21101N8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 224-70 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Joel B. Kimmel - Registered owner: Fred Padula - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: O69, Petaluma, CA - Destination: Petaluma, CA - Airport: KO69, Petaluma ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 234 total, 141 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KAPC ## 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 20041028028139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041028028139A), Oct 28, 2004: Bbavia 7GCAA, Petaluma, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he ran the battery down attempting to start the engine. Pilot was observed attempting to hand prop the aircraft without the brakes set or… 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.