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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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August 15, 1982 · Cessna 180 · N42GC

Grand Bay, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 15, 1982
Location
Grand Bay, AL
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N42GC
Operator
John E Cutts Jr
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL82DA240

REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT, BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, SO HE HAND PROPPED THE ENGINE TO START IT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S FATHER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE OPERATING AT IDLE SPEED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS RUNNING THE ENGINE TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS WHEN A BYSTANDER REACHED IN THE COCKPIT AND ADVANCED THE THROTTLE ENOUGH TO MOVE THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT A FENCE AND A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. REPORTEDLY, THE BYSTANDER DISAPPEARED FROM THE SCENE. ON THE SAME DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, A PERSON WAS ADMITTED TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE PATIENT REPORTED THAT HIS LOWER RIGHT LEG WAS RUN OVER BY AN AIRCRAFT WHEEL AND HE RECEIVED ABRASIONS TO THE LEFT ARM FROM A PROPELLER STRIKE.

Full Narrative

REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT WAS PREPARING TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT, BUT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD, SO HE HAND PROPPED THE ENGINE TO START IT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S FATHER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS LEFT UNATTENDED WITH THE ENGINE OPERATING AT IDLE SPEED. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS RUNNING THE ENGINE TO CHECK FOR OIL LEAKS WHEN A BYSTANDER REACHED IN THE COCKPIT AND ADVANCED THE THROTTLE ENOUGH TO MOVE THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT THEN HIT A FENCE AND A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. REPORTEDLY, THE BYSTANDER DISAPPEARED FROM THE SCENE. ON THE SAME DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, A PERSON WAS ADMITTED TO A NEARBY HOSPITAL WITH MINOR INJURIES. THE PATIENT REPORTED THAT HIS LOWER RIGHT LEG WAS RUN OVER BY AN AIRCRAFT WHEEL AND HE RECEIVED ABRASIONS TO THE LEFT ARM FROM A PROPELLER STRIKE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CDT
Nearest AirportHatchett Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN42GC
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJohn E Cutts Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-J · Reciprocating · 225
Seats1

People & Injuries

Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total0
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data