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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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May 16, 2013 · Cessna 172RG · N5219U

Abbeville, LA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 16, 2013
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Abbeville, LA
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N5219U
Operator
Omega Protein
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN13CA282

The airplane's engine battery was dead so the pilot elected to hand-prop the engine. He tied the tail of the airplane down via a brass snap-hook that attached to a metal fastener underneath the airplane's tail section. The snap-hook was attached to a rope that was secured to the ground. The pilot set the parking brake and checked the throttle position; however, he did not secure the wheels with chocks. The engine started on the third attempt and RPM increased as the pilot walked back toward the cockpit. Before he got there, the brass snap-hook broke and the airplane began to roll forward. The pilot was unable to access the cockpit and the airplane traveled unattended until it collided with a parked airplane resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before hand starting the engine and the failure of the brass tie down hook.

Full Narrative

The airplane's engine battery was dead so the pilot elected to hand-prop the engine. He tied the tail of the airplane down via a brass snap-hook that attached to a metal fastener underneath the airplane's tail section. The snap-hook was attached to a rope that was secured to the ground. The pilot set the parking brake and checked the throttle position; however, he did not secure the wheels with chocks. The engine started on the third attempt and RPM increased as the pilot walked back toward the cockpit. Before he got there, the brass snap-hook broke and the airplane began to roll forward. The pilot was unable to access the cockpit and the airplane traveled unattended until it collided with a parked airplane resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time05:00 CDT
Nearest AirportAbbeville (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN5219U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorOmega Protein
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O&VO-360 SER · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data