Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172RG near Abbeville, LA — 2013-05-16

Final reportCEN13CA282
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Date
2013-05-16
Location
Abbeville, LA, USA
Airport
IYA
Aircraft
CESSNA 172RG
Registration
N5219U
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before hand starting the engine and the failure of the brass tie down hook.

NTSB narrative

The airplane's engine battery was dead so the pilot elected to hand-prop the engine. He tied the tail of the airplane down via a brass snap-hook that attached to a metal fastener underneath the airplane's tail section. The snap-hook was attached to a rope that was secured to the ground. The pilot set the parking brake and checked the throttle position; however, he did not secure the wheels with chocks. The engine started on the third attempt and RPM increased as the pilot walked back toward the cockpit. Before he got there, the brass snap-hook broke and the airplane began to roll forward. The pilot was unable to access the cockpit and the airplane traveled unattended until it collided with a parked airplane resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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