# NTSB WPR23LA100: Aeronca 65-CA, N29447, Deming, NM, December 15, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 15, 2022, 20:45 UTC - Place: Deming, NM - Coordinates: 32.262389, -107.719 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2624&lon=-107.7190&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 106654 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA100 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106654/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106654 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA100 ## Probable cause The occupant’s improper throttle movement during the start procedure, which resulted in forward movement and loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-CA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0190922), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Other (probable cause); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-CA, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0190922), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Aeronca 65-CA, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0190922), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, the airplane does not have an electrical system and needed to be hand propped to start the engine. There were no tire chocks or tie-down ropes on the ramp, so he asked an individual at the airport, whom he believed was a pilot and said that he had experience with assisting in hand propping an airplane. The pilot instructed the individual on the procedures and with the throttle set to 1/8 inch open, and the individual in the pilot’s seat, he then positioned himself in front of the airplane and spun the propeller. The engine started as expected and the engine immediately went to a high rpm setting. The airplane began forward movement under high rpm and speed and subsequently collided with a light pole and airport hangar after the individual in the cockpit could not stop the airplane. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that after the collision, he found the throttle positioned to the full forward high rpm position instead of the idle position and that the individual reported that he went the wrong direction with the throttle. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N29447](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29447-2025-10-09), registration cancelled 2025-10-09, S/N CA10330 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AERONCA 65-CA - Registry model: [Aeronca 65-CA](https://openairdocs.org/model/aeronca-65-ca) (registry code 0190922) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CA10330 - Airframe hours: 1801.36 - Engines: Continental A65-8 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jones Cody - Registered owner: Jones Cody - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, December 26, 2021, 12 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: KDMN, Deming Municipal Airport, runway N/A ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2022; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 926.24 total, 14 in this make and model, 920.4 as pilot in command, 74.4 in the last 90 days, 24.8 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Observed at: KDMN ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106654. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15238915&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20Form%20N29447_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 67 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15127171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Deming%20Pilot%20ROC-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15127181&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ROC%20email%20(FAA)-Rel.pdf - Photo of wing damage (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15244495&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Substantial%20wing%20damage-Rel.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.