Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX87LA020

PACOIMA, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N18737

CESSNA 150L

Analysis

THE PLT REFUELED THE ACFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG BY USING THE BATTERY. HE HAND PROPPED THE ENG WHICH STARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE ACFT BEGAN TO MOVE UNATTENDED & THE PLT CLUNG TO THE LEFT WING STRUT, BUT RELINQUISHED HIS GRIP AFTER THE ACFT MOVED APRX 20 FT. THE ACFT CONTINUED & STRUCK 2 OTHER SINGLE ENG ACFT BEFORE STOPPING. A WITNESS SHUT DOWN THE ENG BY TURNING OFF THE MAGNETOS. POLICE, PARAMEDICS & WITNESSES NOTED A STRONG ODOR OF ALCOHOL ON THE PLT'S BREATH. A POLICE OFFICER ALSO NOTED THAT THE PLT'S SPEECH WAS 'THICK/SLURRED.' THE INJURED PLT WAS TAKEN TO A MEDICAL CENTER, BUT HE LEFT BEFORE BEING CHECKED FOR ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION. A WITNESS STATED THAT HE & THE PLT WERE IN A BAR PRIOR TO THE ATTEMPTED FLT & THAT THE PLT HAD OFFERED TO FLY HIM TO BAKERSFIELD, CA. THE PLT'S LAST MEDICAL CERTIFICATE WAS DATED 12/28/82; AT THAT TIME, HE RPRTD HE HAD ACCUMULATED 1000 HRS OF FLT TIME.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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