Cessna 120 N72973
3 May 1992 · Wilmington, North Carolina, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 3 May 1992 at about 17:00 local time, a Cessna 120 registered N72973, operated by Pardee, Douglas L., was involved in an accident near Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 17:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
- Nearest airport
- New Hanover International (ILM)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Cessna 120
- Registration
- N72973
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Pardee, Douglas L.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Southport
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL92LA094
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE DURING THE ENGINE STARTING PROCEDURE, AND HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ATTEND TO THE AIRPLANE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS HAND PROPPING HIS AIRPLANE IN PREPARATION FOR A PERSONAL FLIGHT. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT THE WHEELS WERE NOT CHOCKED, AND WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED, THE THROTTLE WAS IN A MIDRANGE POSITION. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO ROLL, AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE CONTROLS. THE UNATTENDED AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TWO FUEL TRUCKS BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE RUNAWAY AIRPLANE, THE PILOT WAS STRUCK BY THE AIRCRAFT TAIL.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Cessna 120 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Jul 1992 | Cessna 120 | Reserve, Louisiana, United States | Hicks, Timothy J. | No injuries | - |
| 6 Jun 1992 | Cessna 120 | Elk River, Minnesota, United States | Thompson, Bruce D. | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jan 1992 | Cessna 120 | Sonoma, California, United States | Andrew J. Bowe, JR | No injuries | - |
| 7 Aug 1992 | Cessna 120 | Maple, Wisconsin, United States | Day, Daniel M. & Patrick K. | Fatal | 2 |
| 16 Feb 1993 | Cessna 120 | Battleground, Washington, United States | Wills, Charles R. | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Jun 1991 | Cessna 120 | Spirit Lake, Iowa, United States | Fairchild, Timothy J. | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Feb 1992 | Piper PA32-300 | Hickory, North Carolina, United States | Keller, Sammy O. | Serious injuries | - |
| 27 Feb 1992 | Cessna 152 | Knightdale, North Carolina, United States | Raleigh East Airport | No injuries | - |
| 1 Mar 1992 | Pitts S-1 | Reidsville, North Carolina, United States | Speer, James M. JR. | No injuries | - |
| 8 Mar 1992 | Jr Ace E | Statesville, North Carolina, United States | Tager, William | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1992 | Cessna 150H | Elizabeth City, North Carolina, United States | Maeder, Claude R. | Minor injuries | - |
| 9 Apr 1992 | Kaman HH-43F | Manteo, North Carolina, United States | Precision Lift, Inc | No injuries | - |