# NTSB LAX91LA318: Cessna 172, N6387E, Chico, CA, July 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 18, 1991, 17:38 local (Jul 19, 1991, 00:38 UTC)
- Place: Chico, CA
- Coordinates: 39.709156, -121.80986 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7092&lon=-121.8099&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27296
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA318
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27296/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA318

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, taxi
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose over, taxi

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS STARTING THE ENGINE BY HAND PROPPING. THERE WAS A PASSENGER INSIDE THE AIRPLANE. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO TAXI WITH THE PILOT STILL OUTSIDE. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELLED ABOUT 2,000 FT UNTIL THE NOSE GEAR ENTERED SOFT GROUND AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6387E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6387E-1991-10-29), registration cancelled 1991-10-29, S/N 46487 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46487
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sunshine Flyers, Inc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: AUN, AUBURN, CA
- Airport: 023, Ranchaero

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 8,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 4,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: CIC, 1 nm away

## 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 19910718027929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910718027929A), Jul 18, 1991: Cessna 172, Chico, CA, Destroyed. Engine started by hand propping. No chocks,brake set. Throttle opened,ran 2000 ft nosed over. Wife was onboard.

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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