# NTSB LAX85LA260: Cessna 170A, N1401D, Bakersfield, CA, May 25, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 25, 1985, 05:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Bakersfield, CA
- Coordinates: 35.199943, -118.859817 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1999&lon=-118.8598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24729
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24729/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA260

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - pre-flight
  - safety system(other) - previous damage (contributing factor)
  - safety system(other) - worn (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PLT PLACED THE IGNITION KEY ON THE ACFT'S DASHBOARD & THEN PROCEEDED TO TURN OVER THE PROP BY HAND. ACFT WAS NOT TIED DOWN OR CHOCKED & THE ENG STARTED. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO RESTRAIN THE RUNAWAY ACFT. AFTER BEING DRAGGED FOR SEVERAL YDS, THE PLT LET LOOSE. THE ACFT TRAVELLED FOR 50 TO 60 FT & COLLIDED WITH A HANGAR. EXAM OF THE ACFT'S IGNITION SWITCH DISCLOSED THAT IT WAS WORN & SET TO THE RIGHT MAGNETO 'ON' POSITION. DURING THE PLT'S PREFLIGHT INSPECTION HE FAILED TO DETECT THAT THE KEY COULD BE REMOVED WITHOUT FIRST TURNING THE SWITCH TO THE 'OFF' POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1401D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1401D), registered now, S/N 19984, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19984
- Airframe hours: 2120
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harvey Campbell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 6, 1984
- Departed: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Destination: MFR, MEDFORD, OR
- Airport: L45, Bakersfield Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,900 total, 650 in this make and model, 2,825 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19850525067619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850525067619A), May 25, 1985: Cessna 170A, Bakersfield, CA, Substantial damage. Turned props by hand to loosen oil. Engine started, aircraft taxiied into hanger. Key out but switch on r. magneto.

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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