No fatalities

Aircraft jumps chocks during hand-propping and strikes parked plane (N85459)

Alexandria, MN, US

On May 31, 1989, an Aeronca 7AC (registration N85459) was involved in an aviation accident near Alexandria, MN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudgment of the throttle position during hand-propping, which resulted in excessive thrust and caused the aircraft to jump the chocks and collide with a parked aircraft. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-06-22Data APIEditorial standards

During a manual engine start attempt, an aircraft unexpectedly accelerated forward, colliding with a nearby parked aircraft and causing substantial damage to both planes due to excessive thrust.

What happened

The incident occurred while the pilot was attempting to manually start the aircraft engine using the hand-propping method. As the engine successfully ignited, the aircraft suddenly surged forward, jumping over the wheel chocks that were in place to secure it. The moving aircraft then collided with a separate parked aircraft located nearby. This impact resulted in substantial damage to both the aircraft involved in the collision and the stationary aircraft.

The investigation

Following the accident, the pilot provided an explanation for the unexpected movement of the aircraft. He stated that he likely misjudged the position of the throttle during the starting procedure. This error led to excessive thrust being applied immediately after the engine started, which caused the aircraft to accelerate uncontrollably forward before it could be stopped.

Findings

The primary factor contributing to the accident was the pilot's misjudgment of the throttle setting during the critical phase of engine start-up. The sudden application of excessive power overwhelmed the braking capability and the security provided by the wheel chocks, leading directly to the collision with the parked aircraft.

Probable cause

The pilot's misjudgment of the throttle position during hand-propping, which resulted in excessive thrust and caused the aircraft to jump the chocks and collide with a parked aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 May 1989 Aeronca 7AC accident near Alexandria, MN?

During a manual engine start attempt, an aircraft unexpectedly accelerated forward, colliding with a nearby parked aircraft and causing substantial damage to both planes due to excessive thrust.

Were there any fatalities in the 31 May 1989 Aeronca 7AC accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 May 1989 involved an Aeronca 7AC, registration N85459, at Alexandria, MN.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's misjudgment of the throttle position during hand-propping, which resulted in excessive thrust and caused the aircraft to jump the chocks and collide with a parked aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X28412. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.