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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 27, 2006 · Cessna 150G · N3366J

Indianapolis, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 27, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Aircraft
Cessna 150G
Tail Number
N3366J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI06CA170

The unoccupied airplane inadvertently became airborne and crashed shortly after the pilot hand-propped the engine. The pilot reported that he attempted to hand-prop the engine because the aircraft's battery had insufficient charge to utilize the electric starter. The pilot stated that he "tied the tail down" with an automotive style, webbed cargo strap. The pilot reported that after successfully starting the engine, the tail tie-down failed as he repositioned himself to get into the cabin. The pilot stated that he reached "in through the window and tried to pull the mixture out, but could not reach it." The pilot reported that he hung onto the aircraft as it began to accelerate forward, and believes he "moved the throttle more open" before having to let go of the airplane due to its increasing ground speed. The unoccupied airplane eventually became airborne and crashed about one mile from the ramp area. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had used wheel chocks, utilized another tie-down on the tail, or had a person at the aircraft's controls during the hand-start.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot intentionally leaving the airplane unoccupied during the engine start and the failure of the tail tie-down, which ultimately resulted in the unoccupied airplane becoming airborne.

Full Narrative

The unoccupied airplane inadvertently became airborne and crashed shortly after the pilot hand-propped the engine. The pilot reported that he attempted to hand-prop the engine because the aircraft's battery had insufficient charge to utilize the electric starter. The pilot stated that he "tied the tail down" with an automotive style, webbed cargo strap. The pilot reported that after successfully starting the engine, the tail tie-down failed as he repositioned himself to get into the cabin. The pilot stated that he reached "in through the window and tried to pull the mixture out, but could not reach it." The pilot reported that he hung onto the aircraft as it began to accelerate forward, and believes he "moved the throttle more open" before having to let go of the airplane due to its increasing ground speed. The unoccupied airplane eventually became airborne and crashed about one mile from the ramp area. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented if he had used wheel chalks, utilized another tie-down on the tail, or had a person at the aircraft's controls during the hand-start.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest AirportMount Comfort (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 150G
Tail NumberN3366J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200-A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time17:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data