On March 21, 1986, a Cessna 152 (registration N49421) was involved in an aviation accident near Wonder Lake, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to use wheel chocks while hand propping the engine, which resulted in the aircraft rolling forward and striking an object. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
The pilot hand propped the engine without using wheel chocks, causing the aircraft to roll forward and strike a pile of steel beams after the starter failed.
What happened
During pre-flight operations, the pilot encountered an issue where the electric starter would not engage. To start the engine manually, the pilot secured the tail of the aircraft with a tie-down strap but neglected to place chocks under the wheels. After the engine successfully started, the aircraft began to roll forward. It slipped loose from the rear tie-down and collided with a nearby pile of I-beams.
The investigation
A post-accident examination of the aircraft revealed that the starter solenoid had a loose connection. This mechanical fault was identified as the reason the electric starter failed to operate initially, prompting the pilot's decision to hand prop the engine without adequate wheel restraint.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to use wheel chocks while hand propping the engine, which resulted in the aircraft rolling forward and striking an object.
What happened in the 21 Mar 1986 Cessna 152 accident near Wonder Lake, IL?
The pilot hand propped the engine without using wheel chocks, causing the aircraft to roll forward and strike a pile of steel beams after the starter failed.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 21 Mar 1986 involved a Cessna 152, registration N49421, at Wonder Lake, IL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to use wheel chocks while hand propping the engine, which resulted in the aircraft rolling forward and striking an object.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…