# NTSB MIA85LA033: Cessna 172C, N1554Y, Titusville, FL, November 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1984, 22:00 local (Nov 16, 1984, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.580121, -80.820877 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5801&lon=-80.8209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85LA033

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - ignition system,magneto - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance - improper (cause)
- Miscellaneous/other, standing - engine(s) operating
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, AFTER HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN STARTING THE ACFT ENG HE SWITCHED OFF THE MAGNETOS AND MASTER SWITCH AND EXITED THE ACFT. LATER, DURING THE PROCESS OF MOVING THE PROPELLER TO A POSITION TO CLEAR A HAND TOE BAR, THE ACFT STARTED, TAXIED ACROSS THE AIRPORT AND TOOKOFF. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE MAGNETO KEY SELECTOR SWITCH DID NOT HAVE THE GROUNDING LEAD CONNECTED TO THE RT MAGNETO POSITION ALLOWING THE MAGNETO TO BE 'HOT' WHEN THE SELECTOR WAS IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ACFT WAS FOUND ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE AIRPORT WHERE IT HAD CRASHED INTO TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1554Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1554Y-1988-07-18), registration cancelled 1988-07-18, S/N 17249254 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172C
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249254
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert A. Billbruck
- Registered owner: Hamlet Construction Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TIX, TITUSVILLE, FL
- Destination: OCALA, FL
- Airport: TIX, Ti-Co

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 54 total, 18 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MLB

## 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 19841115063529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841115063529A), Nov 15, 1984: Cessna 172C, Titusville, FL, Destroyed. Student pulled prop thru, engine started. Took off unoccupied and crashed. Right magneto grounding lead unconnected

## Other investigations on N1554Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA71DKT11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA71DKT11), Oct 23, 1970: Cessna 172C (N1554Y), Hollywood, FL, substantial damage

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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