# NTSB NYC08CA127: Cessna 172N, N733LE, Charlottesville, VA, March 8, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 8, 2008, 10:55 local (14:55 UTC)
- Place: Charlottesville, VA
- Coordinates: 38.142223, -78.454719
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1422&lon=-78.4547&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA127

## Probable cause

The pilot's improper engine starting procedures.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of policy/procedure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 191 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Taxi: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot attempted to start the engine of the Cessna 172, but was unsuccessful, so he decided to "hand-prop" the engine. As he rotated the propeller from right to left, the engine started, and the airplane began to roll forward. The airplane continued across the airport ramp and impacted two other airplanes before it came to a stop. The accident airplane received substantial damage to its fuselage, and both parked airplanes were also substantially damaged.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot, he attempted to start the engine of the Cessna 172, but was unsuccessful, so he decided to "hand-prop" the engine. As he rotated the propeller from right to left, the engine started, and the airplane began to roll forward. The airplane continued across the airport ramp and impacted two other airplanes before it came to a stop. The accident airplane received substantial damage to its fuselage, and both parked airplanes were also substantially damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733LE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733LE), registered now, S/N 17268368, 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: 17268368
- Airframe hours: 4137
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Regan Stoutermire
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 1, 2008
- Departed: CHO, Charlottesville, VA
- Airport: CHO, Charlottesville-Albemarle

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2007; flight hours: 1,136 total, 899 in this make and model, 1,071 as pilot in command, 214 in the last 90 days, 74 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.45 inHg
- Observed at: CHO

## 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 20080308857699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080308857699A), Mar 8, 2008: Cessna 172N, Charlottesville, VA, Substantial damage. The pilot attempted to rotate the propeller, believing this would "unstick" the starter bendix. The engine started, the aircraft traveled across the ramp and…

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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