# NTSB WPR12CA153: Cessna 172, N6749A, Johnson Valley, CA, April 3, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 3, 2012, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Johnson Valley, CA - Coordinates: 34.337223, -116.579719 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3372&lon=-116.5797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83304 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83304/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83304 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA153 ## Probable cause The pilot did not properly secure the airplane prior to rotating the propeller by hand, resulting in inadvertent movement of the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis An acquaintance of the pilot had expressed an interest in learning to fly the pilot’s newly purchased airplane, and the pilot agreed to provide a demonstration/introductory flight. The acquaintance had no prior flight experience. On the morning of the planned flight, the pilot discovered that the airplane’s battery was dead and decided to start the engine by turning the propeller (hand-prop). He instructed the passenger, seated in the left seat, how to operate the brakes and throttle. The engine was hand-propped and started successfully by the pilot, but the airplane began to move forward. The pilot was unable to board the airplane, and the passenger was unable to control or stop the airplane or shut down the engine. An eyewitness reported that the engine rpm increased and the airplane accelerated as it traversed the airport. The airplane crossed a runway and struck a ground-mounted solar panel array located about 200 feet away. The airplane sustained damage to the propeller, engine mount, firewall, windscreen, wings, and nose landing gear. Four solar panels were also damaged. The passenger stated that due to inexperience, he was unable to properly operate the brakes, but he could not recall whether he attempted to manipulate the throttle during the event. ## Factual narrative An acquaintance of the pilot had expressed an interest in learning to fly the pilot’s newly purchased airplane, and the pilot agreed to provide a demonstration/introductory flight. The acquaintance had no prior flight experience. On the morning of the planned flight, the pilot discovered that the airplane battery was dead and decided to hand-prop the engine to start it. He instructed the passenger, seated in the left seat, how to operate the brakes and throttle. The engine was hand-propped and started successfully by the pilot, but the airplane began to move forward. The pilot was unable to board the airplane, and the passenger was unable to control or stop the airplane, or shut down the engine. The airplane departed its parking spot, crossed a runway, and struck a ground-mounted solar panel array located about 200 feet away. An eyewitness reported that the engine rpm increased and the airplane accelerated as it traversed the airport. The airplane sustained damage to the propeller, engine mount, firewall, windscreen, wings, and nose landing gear. Four solar panels were also damaged. The passenger stated that due to inexperience, he was unable to properly operate the brakes, but he could not recall whether he attempted to manipulate the throttle during the event. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6749A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6749A), registered now, S/N 28849 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28849 - Airframe hours: 5072 - Engines: Continental Motors O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Valley Vista Flyers Inc - Registered owner: Valley Vista Flyers Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 6CA5, Johnson Valley, CA - Destination: 6CA5, Johnson Valley, CA - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 6CA5, Valley Vista Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 9, 2010; flight hours: 3,300 total, 150 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20120403010939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120403010939A), Apr 3, 2012: Cessna 172, Johnson Valley, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft would not start on battery power. The pilot chose to start the aircraft by hand propping with the passenger holding the brakes. The aircraft… ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 16, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83304. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 935 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40366412&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367721&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Eyewitness Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367722&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Eyewitness%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Initial FAA Information (item 4, .PDF, 220 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367719&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Initial%20FAA%20Information-Redacted.PDF - Follow-up FAA Information (item 5, .PDF, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367720&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Follow-up%20FAA%20Information-Master.PDF - Left Side View (item 6, .PDF, 271 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367723&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Left%20Side%20View-Master.PDF - Nose Landing Gear (item 7, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Nose%20Landing%20Gear-Master.PDF - Windscreen and wing leading edge damage (item 8, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40367726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Windscreen%20and%20wing%20leading%20edge%20damage-Master.PDF 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.