# NTSB LAX90LA006: Piper J-2, N6677C, Santa Ynez, CA, October 7, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 7, 1989, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ynez, CA
- Coordinates: 34.639469, -120.019783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6395&lon=-120.0198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA006
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA006

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE HAND PROPPING THE ENGINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Analysis

THE PILOT PLACED HIS AIRCRAFT'S THROTTLE IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION TO CLEAR THE FLOODED ENGINE, AND THEN HE ROTATED THE PROPELLER BY HAND SEVERAL TIMES. THE PILOT THEN TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND AGAIN ROTATED THE PROPELLER BY HAND. THE ENGINE STARTED. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE PILOT HAD FAILED TO ADEQUATELY SECURE THE AIRCRAFT TO THE PARKING FACILITY AND HAD 'MISTAKENLY' LEFT THE THROTTLE 'FULL OPEN', WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED, THE AIRPLANE JUMPED OVER THE CHOCKS. THE UNOCCUPIED AIRCRAFT TOOK OFF, CLIMBED TO 150 FT AGL, ROLLED LEFT, AND DESCENDED UNTIL CRASHING ONTO AIRPORT PROPERTY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6677C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6677C-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 1604, built 1937 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J-2
- Registry model: [Piper J-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j-2) (registry code 7100402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1604
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur D. Tennant
- Departed: IZA, SANTA YNEZ, CA
- Airport: IZA, Santa Ynez

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; flight hours: 625 total, 9 in this make and model, 610 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891007039409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891007039409A), Oct 7, 1989: Piper J2PIPER, Santa Ynez, CA, Substantial damage. Cocked wheels to prop engine. Throttle full open. Started, dumped chocks, became airborne briefly and crashed.

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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