Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172L near Danbury, CT — 2014-06-28

Final reportERA14CA314
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Date
2014-06-28
Location
Danbury, CT, USA
Airport
DXR
Aircraft
CESSNA 172L
Registration
N7867G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Preflight

Probable cause

The pilot's use of a person unfamiliar with aviation and his failure to properly secure the airplane during hand starting of the engine.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that following preflight inspection of the airplane he attempted to start the engine using the starter but was unable. He indicated this to be, "an on-and-off issue…" in that he had to hand start the engine once during 5 attempts prior to 5 separate flights the previous weekend. He elected to hand start the engine without assistance because he was unable to locate personnel from the fixed base operator, and asked the non-rated passenger seated in the right front seat to apply the aircraft's brakes. With the airplane unsecured and the throttle applied "a little bit", the engine started. Initially the airplane did not move, but then began to move. He attempted to board the airplane but was unable and it began travelling faster. The airplane turned to the left, went between 2 rows of airplanes and impacted several parked unoccupied airplanes. The pilot further stated that he did not show the passenger how to activate the aircraft's brakes, and believes the passenger may have inadvertently applied left rudder in an attempt to stop the airplane, although the passenger told him he did not recall doing so. There were no injuries to the front or rear seat passengers, and there were no ground injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge contains a section titled, "Hand Propping" which indicates to never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The section also indicates that an additional precaution includes placement of chalks in front of the main tires or if not feasible, the airplane's tail may be securely tied. The excerpts are contained in the NTSB public docket.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have secured the airplane before attempting to hand start the engine.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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