# NTSB LAX90LA225: Bellanca BL26, N4034B, Santa Ana, CA, June 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1990, 06:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Coordinates: 33.669471, -117.899032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6695&lon=-117.8990&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26845
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26845/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA225

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S USE OF AN IMPROPER STARTING TECHNIQUE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE PREFLIGHT OF THE AIRCRAFT HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE SET THE BRAKES AND THEN BEGAN TO HAND PROP THE AIRCRAFT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE AN ENGINE START. THE ENGINE STARTED AND REPORTEDLY WENT TO A HIGH POWER SETTING. THE AIRCRAFT JUMPED THE CHOCKS AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED AIRCRAFT, A LIGHT POLE AND THEN A FENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4034B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4034B), registered now, S/N 75-30790, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELLANCA BL26
- Registry model: [Bellanca 17-30A](https://openairdocs.org/model/bellanca-17-30a) (registry code 1220433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-30790
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-K 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marc S. Walker
- Departed: SNA
- Destination: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SNA, Orange Co

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 580 total, 320 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Observed at: SNA

## 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 19900620021559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900620021559A), Jun 20, 1990: Blanca 1730A, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Engine ran too full power after hand propping. Aircraft hit pole fence and parked aircraft. Chocked and brakes set.

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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