# NTSB LAX83LA284: Cessna 172A, N9854T, Carmel Valley, CA, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 18:30 local (Jun 5, 1983, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Carmel Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.390586, -121.650718 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3906&lon=-121.6507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23749
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA284
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23749/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA284

## 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)
  - throttle/power control - excessive, unqualified person (cause)
  - improper use of equipment/aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, standing - starting engine(s)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THERE WERE NO TIEDOWNS, CHOCKS OR OTHER RESTRAINING DEVICES AVAILABLE SO HE ASK A NON CERTIFICATED PERSON TO SIT IN THE AIRCRAFT AND APPLY THE BRAKES WHILE HE ROTATED THE PROP BY HAND TO START THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE PASSENGER INADVERTENTLY INCREASED POWER. THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP THE AIRCRAFT WHICH THEN COLLIDED WITH THREE OTHER AIRCRAFT WHICH WERE PARKED. THE AIRCRAFT SUBSEQUENTLY STRUCK A DIRT BANK AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9854T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9854T), registered now, S/N 47654 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47654
- Airframe hours: 1900
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Douglas J. Buchanan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: FCH, FRESNO, CA
- Airport: 062, Carmel Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; flight hours: 550 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19830604022939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830604022939A), Jun 4, 1983: Cessna 172A, Carmel Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Hand propped engine with passenger at controls. Passenger opened throttle on starting. Struck three parked aircraft

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.

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