Aeronca 7AC
Ankeny, IA — March 11, 2020
Event Information
| Date | March 11, 2020 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN20CA120 |
| Event ID | 20200312X82517 |
| Location | Ankeny, IA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 41.69528, -93.56861 |
| Airport | ANKENY RGNL |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | Aeronca |
| Model | 7AC |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's improper starting procedure, which allowed the airplane to move forward over the wheel chocks and impact him and a hangar when he subsequently hand propped the engine.
Full Narrative
The pilot attempted to hand-prop the airplane's engine without success. He turned off the magneto switch and advanced the throttle to between ½ to ¾ travel and then turned the propeller backwards 5-6 times to clear the cylinders. The pilot reported that he returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch back to the on position but did not put the throttle back to idle. He hand-propped the airplane a second time and the engine started. The engine's throttle setting allowed the airplane to move forward over the wheel chocks, and the airplane struck the pilot. A passenger was still in the airplane as it collided with a hangar, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane's firewall and fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger was not injured.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.