# NTSB LAX88LA035: Piper PA-22-160, N8779D, Tucson, AZ, October 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1987, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.190208, -110.980117 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1902&lon=-110.9801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25898
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25898/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA035

## 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)
  - passenger briefing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - airport facility (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START BY PRESSING THE STARTER SO HE DECIDED TO HAND PROP THE ENGINE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE FINALLY STARTED. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY INCREASED POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT JUMPED THE CHOCKS. THE NON-PILOT PASSENGER AT THE CONTROLS WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IT COLLIDED WITH A HANGAR. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8779D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8779D-2018-01-17), registration cancelled 2018-01-17, S/N 22-5967, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-22-160
- Registry model: [Piper PA-22-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-22-160) (registry code 7102214) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 225967
- Airframe hours: 2871
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Siegrist, Ralph S. III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1987, 4 hours before
- Airport: E14, Avra Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 180 total, 117 in this make and model, 180 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19871018066819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871018066819A), Oct 18, 1987: Piper PA22160, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine started after pilot hand propped it. Passenger was unable to stop aircraft. It jumped chocks. Hit a hangar.

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.