# NTSB NYC95LA141: Aeronca 7AC, N82773, Smoketown, PA, July 3, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 3, 1995, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Smoketown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.429496, -75.339462 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4295&lon=-75.3395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA141

## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to follow the recommended starting procedures.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi
  - object - aircraft parked/standing

## Analysis

THE PILOT REMOVED THE AIRPLANE FROM A HANGER AND HAD HIS WIFE SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT. HE PROCEEDED TO SET THE CONTROLS FOR AN ENGINE START. HOWEVER, HE SAID HE OVERLOOKED THE THROTTLE, WHICH WAS IN THE FULL OPEN POSITION FROM THE PREVIOUS SHUT DOWN. THE PILOT HAD NOT BRIEFED HIS WIFE ON THE USE OF THE THROTTLE OR BRAKES. HE THEN HAND PROPPED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STARTED AND WENT TO FULL POWER. THE AIRPLANE THEN TRAVELED ACROSS THE RAMP AND COLLIDED WITH A PARKED AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On July 3, 1995, at 1730 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 7AC, N82773, was substantially damaged during an uncontrolled taxi at the Smoketown Airport, Smoketown, Pennsylvania.  The private pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed, for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that after he removed the airplane from the hanger, he had his wife sit in the front seat.  He further stated:

I proceeded to get the controls (fuel, throttle,      brakes, etc.) into the starting position.  The only      thing I over looked was the throttle position, which      was in the open position.  I also failed to inform my      wife of her opportunity to manage the throttle during      propping...I propped the engine.  It fired and      immediately went to full power.  This cause the plane      to travel to point of impact with the second plane..."

According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, the airplane wheels were not chocked during the start.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82773](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N82773), registered now, S/N 7AC-1420, 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: 7AC-1420
- Airframe hours: 2204
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Marlin Horst
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 22, 1994, 29 hours before
- Departed: 37PA
- Airport: 37PA, Smoketown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 991 total, 42 in this make and model, 829 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19950703026899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950703026899A), Jul 3, 1995: Bbavia 7AC, Smoketown, PA, Substantial damage. Put wife at controls to hand prop. Set control for engine start, left throttle full open. Started. Hit parked plane

## Other investigations on N82773 (1)

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 NYC81DHA17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81DHA17), Jul 14, 1981: Aeronca 7AC (N82773), Springfield, PA, substantial damage

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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