# NTSB NYC06CA123: Christen Industries A-1, N9613Q, Linden, NJ, May 29, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2006, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Linden, NJ
- Coordinates: 40.617221, -74.244445
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6172&lon=-74.2444&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA Teterboro FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63768
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63768/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA123

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the engine run-up.  Factor's in the accident were the pilot's diverted attention, and his failure to secure the airplane's left tire.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - engine(s) operating
  - landing gear,tire - not secured (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot of the Christen Industries A-1 reported that he observed the alternator light remain illuminated after start-up.  He then shut down the engine, engaged the parking brake, and placed a chock on the airplane's right tire.  He did not have a chock for the left tire.  He then conducted a high RPM engine run-up.  During the engine run-up, the pilot said that he was distracted by an open door, which was slamming back and forth against the airframe, due to the propeller wash.  As the pilot attempted to close the door, the airplane turned toward the right, and impacted a hangar.  The pilot reported 2,640 hours of total flight experience, which included 1,955 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Christen Industries A-1 reported he observed the alternator light remain illuminated after start-up.  He then shut down the engine, engaged the parking brake, and placed a chock on the airplane's right tire.  He did not have a chock for the left tire.  He then conducted a high RPM engine run-up.  During the engine run-up, the pilot said that he was distracted by an open door, which was slamming back and forth against the airframe, due to the propeller wash.  As the pilot attempted to close the door, the airplane turned toward the right, and impacted a hangar.  The pilot reported 2,640 hours of total flight experience, which included 1,955 hours in the same make and model as the accident airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9613Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9613Q), registered now, S/N 1174 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Christen Industries A-1
- Registry model: [Christen Industries A-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-a-1) (registry code 221020X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1174
- Airframe hours: 1960
- Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Keith M. Mazzarella
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2006
- Departed: LDJ, Linden, NJ
- Destination: LDJ, Linden, NJ
- Airport: LDJ, Linden

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2005; seat: front; flight hours: 2,640 total, 1,955 in this make and model, 2,356 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: EWR, 6 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 20060529023879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060529023879A), May 29, 2006: Chris A1, Linden, NJ, Substantial damage. (-23) At approximately 1200L pilot pulled out aircraft from hangar. Battery was not charged due to previous alternator problem on 05/28/2006. The pilot stated…

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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