Pilot Debrief

Cessna 177 near Elkhart, IN — 2019-07-14

Final reportCEN19LA223
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Date
2019-07-14
Location
Elkhart, IN, USA
Airport
EKM
Aircraft
Cessna 177
Registration
N29516
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Preflight

Probable cause

An inadvertent engine start of the airplane and subsequent takeoff without the pilot on-board for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

NTSB narrative

The pilot preflighted the airplane for a flight with two passengers. The passengers sat in the airplane with their seatbelts secured when the pilot lowered the propeller blade by manually “smacking it down” in a clockwise direction. The engine started, and the airplane began to move forward under its own power. The pilot attempted to board the airplane while it was rolling but was unable to. The airplane traveled across a ramp area, through a grassy area, over a taxiway, and up a slight grade where it became airborne momentarily before it came to rest in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane found the mixture and throttle in the full-forward position and the ignition key removed from the ignition. The key’s position before the accident could not be confirmed. When the pilot rotated the propeller an inadvertent engine start occurred. The reason for the inadvertent start could not be determined based on available evidence.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should not have spun the propeller while passengers were onboard.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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