Loss of Control on Ground: Aeronca 7AC Champion, N83032; accident occurred March 11, 2020 at Ankeny Regional Airport (KIKV), Polk County, Iowa

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Des Moines, Iowa

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

Vintage Flying Club

https://registry.faa.gov/N83032

Location: Ankeny, Iowa 

Accident Number: CEN20CA120

Date & Time: March 11, 2020, 16:45 Local 

Registration: N83032

Aircraft: Aeronca 7AC 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of control on ground

Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that he attempted to hand prop the engine numerous times without success. He returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch to the "off" position and advanced the throttle to between 1/2 and 3/4 travel. He then exited the cockpit and turned the propeller backward five to six "blades" to clear the cylinders. The pilot again returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch back to the "on" position, but he did not retard the throttle back to idle. He attempted to hand prop the engine again, and it started. Due to the engine's throttle setting, the airplane moved forward over the wheel chocks and struck the pilot, which resulted in serious injuries, and then a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

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.

Findings

Personnel issues Use of equip/system - Pilot

Environmental issues Person - Effect on operation

Environmental issues Airport structure - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Standing-engine(s) start-up Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Standing-engine(s) operating Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 

Age: 65, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land

Seat Occupied: None

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None 

Restraint Used:

Instrument Rating(s): None

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Unknown 

Last FAA Medical Exam:

Occupational Pilot: No 

Last Flight Review or Equivalent:

Flight Time:

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Aeronca 

Registration: N83032

Model/Series: 7AC No Series

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1956

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal 

Serial Number: 7AC-1688

Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel 

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: 

Certified Max Gross Wt.:

Time Since Last Inspection: 

Engines:

Airframe Total Time: 

Engine Manufacturer:

ELT:

Engine Model/Series:

Registered Owner: 

Rated Power:

Operator:

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KIKV,910 ft msl 

Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 16:35 Local

Direction from Accident Site: 155°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 3900 ft AGL

Visibility 10 miles

Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 5000 ft AGL 

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 18 knots / 31 knots

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:  /

Wind Direction: 320° 

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:  /

Altimeter Setting: 29.82 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 11°C / 3°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: 

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: 

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time:

Type of Airspace:

Airport Information

Airport: ANKENY RGNL IKV

Runway Surface Type:

Airport Elevation: 909 ft msl 

Runway Surface Condition:

Runway Used: 

IFR Approach: None

Runway Length/Width:

VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries: 1 None 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries: 1 Serious

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 Serious, 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 41.695278,-93.568611(est)