# NTSB SEA99LA062: Cessna 172M, N73040, Omak, WA, May 16, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1999, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Omak, WA
- Coordinates: 48.359882, -119.27005 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3599&lon=-119.2700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA062

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly secure the aircraft before hand-propping.

## Analysis

Because of a low battery situation, the pilot elected to hand-prop the airplane. Once started, the aircraft rolled approximately 100 feet across the tarmac and collided with a hangar.  The pilot was unable to gain access to the aircraft before it collided with the hangar.  The aircraft's parking brake was not properly set and the wheels were not chocked.

## Factual narrative

On May 16, 1999 about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N73040, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a hanger at Omak Airport, Omak, Washington. The pilot was not injured and there was no report of a fire or activation of the aircraft's ELT.

Because of a low battery situation, the pilot elected to hand-prop the airplane.  The pilot stated he set the aircraft's parking brake and proceeded to start the engine.  Once started, the aircraft rolled approximately 100 feet across the tarmac and collided with a hanger.  The pilot was unable to gain access to the aircraft before it collided with the hanger.  He stated the aircraft's parking brake was not completely set and the aircraft was not chocked.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, standing - starting engine(s)
  - aircraft control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73040](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73040), registered now, S/N 17267247, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267247
- Airframe hours: 3841
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harlan M. Warner
- Registered owner: Okanogan Flight Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1999, 0 hours before
- Destination: S35, OKANOGAN, WA
- Airport: OMK, Omack Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,660 total, 1,700 in this make and model, 2,537 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OMK

## 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 19990516005289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990516005289A), May 16, 1999: Cessna 172M, Omak, WA, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to hand-prop the acft to start it, the acft engine began running, and the acft taxied into a hangar. (-23)the pilot stated the engine would not…

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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