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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

June 14, 1996 · Mitchell T Champabria T Champabr · N96RM

Kalamazoo, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 14, 1996
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
Aircraft
Mitchell T Champabria T Champabr
Tail Number
N96RM
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA206

The accident occurred while the pilot was hand propping the engine after it had flooded. The magnetos were on and the throttle was open. The engine started, and the airplane traveled (unoccupied) into a garage type building on the airstrip.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper positioning of the throttle, while hand propping the aircraft engine, and his failure to either obtain proper assistance or properly secure the airplane.

Full Narrative

On June 14, 1996, at 0730 eastern daylight time, a Mitchell T Champabria, N96RM, collided with a building and a vehicle while being hand propped in preparation for takeoff at the Austin Lake Airport, Kalamazoo, Michigan. There was no one in the airplane at the time of the collision. The pilot who was outside the airplane hand propping it received serious injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he flooded the engine during the initial starting attempt. He was hand propping the engine with the magnetos on and the throttle open. The engine started and the airplane traveled into the side of a garage type building on the airstrip. The airplane reportedly damaged a vehicle which was parked inside the building. The pilot reported on NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that he should have closed the throttle before hand propping the engine.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:30 EDT
Nearest AirportAustin Lake (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMitchell T Champabria T Champabr
Tail NumberN96RM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1B · Reciprocating · 115
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 45 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data