# NTSB NYC90LA214: Cessna 120, N89697, Southbridge, MA, September 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1990, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Southbridge, MA
- Location: 42.1011° N, 72.0388° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOUTHBRIDGE MUNI (3B0), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1011&lon=-72.0388&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36736
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA214
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36736/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA214

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURES.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HIS AIRPLANE HAD A LOW BATTERY AND HE HAND PROPPED IT WITH NO ONE AT THE CONTROLS, NOR WAS IT TIED DOWN. THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE AIRPLANE MOVED UNDER ITS OWN POWER, STRIKING AN UNOCCUPIED AIRPLANE. THE PILOT SAID HE MAY HAVE BUMPED THE THROTTLE AS HE WAS EXITING THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N89697](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N89697), registered now, S/N 8746 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8746
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary D. Altenhein
- Registered owner: Gary D. Altenhein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 3B0, CT
- Airport: 3B0, Southbridge Muni. Arpt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 420 total, 178 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19900908038679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900908038679A), Sep 8, 1990: Cessna 120, Southbridge, MA, Substantial damage. Hand propped due low battery. Engine started,throttle part open could not stop aircraft. Hit parked aircraft.

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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