# NTSB MKC89LA120: Aeronca 7AC, N85459, Alexandria, MN, May 31, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1989, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Alexandria, MN
- Coordinates: 45.869972, -95.370269 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8700&lon=-95.3703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34797
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89LA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34797/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89LA120

## Probable cause

THAT PROPER STARTING PROCEDURES WERE NOT FOLLOWED BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT TIED DOWN.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - tie down - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - throttle/power control - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - aircraft parked/standing (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE ACFT BY HAND PROPPING, THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE ACFT JUMPED THE CHOCKS. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A PARKED ACFT, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO BOTH ACFT. THE PLT SAID THAT HE MUST HAVE MISJUDGED THE THROTTLE POSITION, CAUSING THE EXCESSIVE THRUST AFTER THE ENGINE STARTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N85459](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N85459), registered now, S/N 7AC-4199, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AERONCA 7AC
- Registry model: [Aeronca 7AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-7ac) (registry code 2110102) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AC4199
- Airframe hours: 3554
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alexandria Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1989, 12 hours before
- Departed: AXN, ALEXANDRIA, MN
- Airport: AXN, Alexandria, runway 31, 5,100 × 100 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 746 total, 3 in this make and model, 610 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AXN, 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 19890531013869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890531013869A), May 31, 1989: Bbavia 7AC, Alexandria, MN, Substantial damage. Hand propped engine which started. Aircraft jumped chocks, hit parked aircraft. Had throttle advanced too much.

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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