# NTSB LAX94LA209: Cessna 182P, N1454S, Phoenix, AZ, May 1, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 1, 1994, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Phoenix, AZ - Coordinates: 33.67908, -112.090805 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6791&lon=-112.0908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28734/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA209 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to ensure that the magneto switch was in the off position prior to rotating the propeller by hand. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s) - object - building(nonresidential) - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot completed the preflight inspection of the aircraft and loaded his passengers on board. The aircraft had been idle for about a month. On the first start attempt, the engine turned over very slowly and the pilot discontinued the start cycle. The pilot got out of the aircraft to pull the propeller through several revolutions and, as he did so, the engine suddenly started and went to a high power setting. The pilot said he tried to get back into the cockpit, but he had trouble with the door latch. The pilot next attempted to restrain the aircraft by holding the tail, but he was knocked to the ground in the effort. The aircraft ran into a hangar, bending a wing spar. The pilot said that on reflection he believes that he forgot to turn off the magnetos completely before trying to turn the propeller through the revolutions. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 1994, at 1430 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182P, N1454S, collided with a hangar at the Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix, Arizona. The aircraft ran away from the pilot after the engine inadvertently started while the pilot was pulling the propeller through several compression cycles. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The airplane incurred substantial wing damage. The certificated private pilot incurred minor injuries; however, the two passengers on board the aircraft were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident as a personal cross-country flight to Tucson, Arizona. In a verbal statement, the pilot reported that he had completed the preflight inspection of the aircraft and loaded his passengers on board. The aircraft had been idle for about a month. On the first start attempt, the engine turned over very slowly and the pilot discontinued the start cycle. The pilot got out of the aircraft to pull the propeller through several revolutions and, as he did so, the engine suddenly started and went to a high power setting. The pilot said he tried to get back into the cockpit, but he had trouble with the door latch. The pilot next attempted to restrain the aircraft by holding the tail, but he was knocked to the ground in the effort. The aircraft ran into a hangar, bending a wing spar. During his statement, the pilot said that on reflection he believes that he forgot to turn off the magnetos completely before trying to turn the propeller through the revolutions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1454S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1454S), registered now, S/N 18265002, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18265002 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Daniel G. Fisher, doing business as Life'S Journey - Registered owner: Life'S Journey - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DVT - Destination: TUS, TUSCON, AZ - Airport: DVT, Deer Valley ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 425 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19940501010229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940501010229A), May 1, 1994: Cessna 182P, Phoenix, AZ, Substantial damage. Turned prop to clear engine. It started. Aircraft struck a hanger. Had throttle wide open mag on. No brake or chock 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.