Aeronca 7AC N83032

Summary

On 11 March 2020 at about 21:45 local time, a Aeronca 7AC registered N83032, operated by Private Individual, was involved in an accident near Ankeny, Iowa, United States. 2 people were on board. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

11 March 2020 at 21:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Ankeny, Iowa, United States

Nearest airport

Ankeny Rgnl (IKV)

Coordinates

41.6953, -93.5686

Aircraft

Aeronca 7AC

Registration

N83032

Category

Airplane

Year built

1956

Operator

Private Individual

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN20CA120

Injuries not recorded.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.