# NTSB SEA00LA191: Aeronca 11BC, N3954E, Auburn, WA, September 26, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 26, 2000, 09:50 local (16:50 UTC) - Place: Auburn, WA - Coordinates: 47.309612, -122.219421 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3096&lon=-122.2194&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 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50357 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA191 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50357/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA191 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately secure the aircraft prior to a manual engine start. A contributing factor was the excessive throttle setting on start. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - misc eqpt/furnishings,aircraft tie-down(s) - separation - tie down - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - misc eqpt/furnishings,wheel chocks - not engaged - throttle/power control - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot fueled the tail-wheel equipped Aeronca 11BC aircraft prior to a planned departure. The aircraft was not equipped with a parking brake, and the lack of an electric starter required hand propping to start the engine. The pilot secured the aircraft with a length of rope with one end connected at the aircraft's releasable tie-down tail hook, and the opposing end tied to a Chevron sign post. Initial attempts to start the aircraft with the throttle closed were unsuccessful, and the pilot then 'cracked' the throttle and hand propped the engine, which started immediately. The pilot reported that she 'saw the aircraft idling too fast and moving forward.' The rope then broke and the aircraft taxied into the metal barricades protecting the fuel pumps. The pilot reported that she carried chocks in the aircraft but had not used them at the time of the engine start. ## Factual narrative On September 26, 2000, approximately 0950 Pacific daylight time, an Aeronca 11BC, N3954E, registered to and operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during an on ground collision with safety barricades surrounding the fuel pumps at the Auburn Municipal airport, Auburn, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was operated under 14CFR91, and was destined for Crest Airpark, Washington. The pilot reported (see NTSB Form 6120.1/2 attached) that after arriving at Auburn Municipal airport from a local flight, she taxied to the Chevron fueling area, shut the aircraft down and refueled. Following the refueling, she pushed the aircraft backwards towards a Chevron sign near the fuel pumps and proceeded to secure the airplane in preparation for hand-propping the engine for start. She tied a length of rope around the base of the signpost and then secured the opposite end to the aircraft's tail tie-down hook. Having secured the aircraft, she then "pulled the throttle off and turned the key on" and made three unsuccessful attempts to start the aircraft's engine by hand propping. She then returned to the cockpit, "cracked" the throttle slightly, and returned to the front of the aircraft. Once hand propped, the engine started immediately. The pilot further reported, "I began walking back to the cockpit but saw that the airplane was idling too fast and moving forward. It continued to go forward, breaking the tail hook rope." The aircraft then veered left impacting the metal barricades protecting the fuel pumps. Both wing struts were bent and the main landing gear were torn off the aircraft. A follow-up interview was telephonically conducted with the pilot. She reported that the aircraft was equipped with wheel brakes but no parking brake and that the aircraft, having no electric starter system, required hand-propping to start the engine. She also stated that she carried chocks with her in the aircraft, but they were not used during the accident scenario. The tail tie-down hook on the aircraft had a release mechanism actuated from the cockpit which would allow the pilot, once aboard, to release the rope at the tie-down hook end. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3954E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3954E), registered now, S/N 11BC-38 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aeronca 11BC - Registry model: [Aeronca 11BC](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-11bc) (registry code 0191106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11BC-38 - Engines: Continental A75 75 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Rittenhouse, Lynn C. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 2000, 5 hours before - Departed: S50 - Destination: S36, CREST AIRPARK, WA - Airport: S50, Auburn Municipal ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 246 total, 55 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: RNT, 10 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 20000926013929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000926013929A), Sep 26, 2000: Bbavia 11BC, Auburn, WA, No damage. (-23) After fueling N3954E for a return flight to the S36 airport, the PIC secured the a/c to a signpost with a length of new rope to hold its place while the… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.