Cessna 172L accident near Vacaville, CA
On December 26, 2003, a Cessna 172L (airplane) was involved in an accident near Vacaville, CA. 1 person died.
- Date
- December 26, 2003
- Place
- Vacaville, CA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- —
- Position
- 38.377°N, 121.963°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040113X00055
NTSB summary
On December 26, 2003, about 0900 Pacific standard time, the propeller of a Cessna 172L, N7668G, contacted the pilot while he was hand propping the airplane at the Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville, California. The pilot, also the registered owner, was operating the flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries; the airplane was not damaged. The flight was destined for the Lincoln Airport, Lincoln, California, and was originating at the time. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot succumbed to his injuries on January 2, 2004. The responding Solano County Sheriff's Office deputy reported that family members discovered the injured pilot on December 27. The pilot sustained head injuries, and was seated in the passenger seat of his vehicle that was parked at the airport. The airplane was tied down, and the left main wheel was chocked. The left door was open and the magneto switch was in the "Both" position. The pilot's right shoe was on the right side of the airplane, forward of the propeller. A trail of blood led from the front of the airplane to the passenger side of the pilot's vehicle. The pilot was initially hospitalized with serious head injuries and subsequently died on January 2, 2004. Federal Aviation Administration publication, Preventing Accidents During Aircraft Ground Operations (FAA-P-8740-20), presents suggestions to aid in increasing the safety factor while hand starting airplanes. The publication states the following: "No one should attempt to start an aircraft engine without
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure.
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Browse: California · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
