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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

December 25, 1990 · Cessna 205 · N8219Z

Medford, OK

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 25, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Medford, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 205
Tail Number
N8219Z
Operator
Deterding James L
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW91LA026

WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO START THE AIRPLANE HE FOUND THAT IT HAD A DEAD BATTERY. HE THEN INSTRUCTED THE NON-RATED PASSENGER ON HOW TO MANIPULATE THE ENGINE CONTROLS AND PROCEEDED TO HAND PROP THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STARTED AT FULL THROTTLE AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO BOARD THE AIRPLANE AS THE PASSENGER WAS BLOCKING THE ENTRY IN HIS ATTEMPT TO GET OUT. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY ROLLED ACROSS A RUNWAY, THROUGH THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE, THROUGH A DITCH, AND ACROSS A ROAD INTO AN OPEN FIELD BEFORE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND IT NOSED OVER. NO CHOCKS WERE USED DURING THE START.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S USE OF IMPROPER STARTING PROCEDURES WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE AIRPLANE'S ENCOUNTER WITH ROUGH TERRAIN DURING THE UNMANNED TAXI.

Full Narrative

WHEN THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO START THE AIRPLANE HE FOUND THAT IT HAD A DEAD BATTERY. HE THEN INSTRUCTED THE NON-RATED PASSENGER ON HOW TO MANIPULATE THE ENGINE CONTROLS AND PROCEEDED TO HAND PROP THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STARTED AT FULL THROTTLE AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO BOARD THE AIRPLANE AS THE PASSENGER WAS BLOCKING THE ENTRY IN HIS ATTEMPT TO GET OUT. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY ROLLED ACROSS A RUNWAY, THROUGH THE AIRPORT BOUNDARY FENCE, THROUGH A DITCH, AND ACROSS A ROAD INTO AN OPEN FIELD BEFORE THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND IT NOSED OVER. NO CHOCKS WERE USED DURING THE START.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 CST
Nearest AirportMEDFORD (0nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 205
Tail NumberN8219Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorDeterding James L
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · I0-470 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 15 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:52
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data