# NTSB MIA94LA190: Cessna 152, N67334, Clearwater, FL, August 7, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 7, 1994, 05:30 local (09:30 UTC) - Place: Clearwater, FL - Location: 27.9086° N, 82.6865° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ST PETE-CLEARWATER INTL (PIE), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9086&lon=-82.6865&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 18, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 37583 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA94LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37583/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA94LA190 ## Probable cause THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO INTENTIONALLY EXIT THE AIRPLANE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A CLEARANCE FROM THE PROPELLER. THE IMPROPER AIRCRAFT PREFLIGHT WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - engine(s) operating - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot-in-command stated he started the engine and noticed he had not removed the left wing tie-down during the preflight inspection. He retarded the throttle to the idle position, exited the airplane, walked around to the front of the leading edge of the left wing, removed the tie-down, turned to the left, and walked into the propeller. ## Factual narrative On August 7, 1994, about 0530 eastern daylight time, an unmanned Cessna 152, N67334, registered to Leaseair Clearwater Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the pilot-in-command and a parked airplane on the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. The airplanes sustained minor damage. The private pilot received a serious injury. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot stated he started the engine and noticed he had not removed the left wing tie-down during the preflight inspection. He retarded the throttle to the idle position, exited the airplane, walked around to the front of the leading edge of the left wing, removed the tie-down, turned to the left, and walked into the propeller. The Pilot's Operating Handbook for the Cessna 152, Section 4, Normal Procedures, Preflight Inspection, states in the checklist, wing tie-down-disconnect. It further states in the before start engine checklist, brakes-test and set. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67334](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67334-2011-05-27), registration cancelled 2011-05-27, S/N 15281762, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 152 - Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15281762 - Airframe hours: 4998 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Leaseair Clearwater Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 7, 1994, 80 hours before - Destination: PNS, PENSACOLA, FL - Airport: PIE, St. Pete-Clearwater Int ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 72 total, 69 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: calm - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PIE ## 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 19940807020529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940807020529A), Aug 7, 1994: Cessna 152, St Petersburg-C, FL, Minor damage. Started engine, left wing tie down not removed. Got out removed tiedown turned and walked into idling propeller. ## Other investigations on N67334 (2) 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 NYC08CA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA161), Apr 14, 2008: Cessna 152K (N67334), Okeechobee, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power during cruise flight due to fuel contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. - [NTSB MIA91LA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA045), Dec 16, 1990: Cessna 152 (N67334), Palmetto, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: POOR PREFLIGHT PLANNING BY THE PILOT DUE TO HIS FAILURE TO PURCHASE FUEL BEFORE DEPARTURE RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE… 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.