# NTSB MIA92LA152: Cessna 172N, N733MX, Panama City, FL, July 25, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 25, 1992, 07:10 local (12:10 UTC)
- Place: Panama City, FL
- Coordinates: 30.199457, -85.669097 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.1995&lon=-85.6691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33112
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33112/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA152

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO STAND CLEAR OF THE PROPELLER AS HE ROTATED IT BY HAND, RESULTING IN THE PROPELLER ROTATING AROUND DUE TO ENGINE COMPRESSION, STRIKING THE PILOT, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS BALANCE AND FALL TO THE RAMP, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - pre-flight
  - engine accessories,engine starter - failure,partial
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - propeller - improper use of, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THE STARTER MOTOR WOULD RUN BUT NOT TURN ENGINE. HE WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER PILOT THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS HE SHOULD EXIT THE AIRCRAFT AND REPOSITION THE PROPELLER. HE TURNED OFF THE MAGNETOS AND EXITED THE AIRCRAFT. AS HE TURNED THE PROPELLER, IT ROTATED AROUND DUE TO ENGINE COMPRESSION AND STRUCK HIM ON THE FOREHEAD. HE LOST HIS BALANCE AND FELL BACKWARD, AT WHICH TIME HE STRUCK HIS HEAD ON THE RAMP, CAUSING A SKULL FRACTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733MX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733MX), registered now, S/N 17268406, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268406
- Airframe hours: 2272
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bay Aero Center, Inc., doing business as Bay Aviation
- Registered owner: Sowell Aviation Company, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 30, 1992, 27 hours before
- Departed: PFN
- Destination: HSV, HUNTSVILLE, AL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 162 total, 63 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PFN, 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 19920725027419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920725027419A), Jul 25, 1992: Cessna 172N, Panama City, FL. Starter failed to engage. Was struck in head by prop as pilot repositioned prop. More head injury striking pavement

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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