Cessna 150F accident near Palenstine, Texas, December 28, 2008
On December 28, 2008 at about 10:07 pm local time, a Cessna 150F, registered N8212F, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) not oper) near Palenstine, Texas (Palestine Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of the pilot to ensure security of the cockpit switches before rotating the propeller.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 28, 2008 · about 10:07 pm local time
- Place
- Palenstine, Texas · Palestine Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150F · all 150Fs on the register
- Registration
- N8212F · no longer on the register · serial 15064312
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot and a 6-year old passenger boarded the airplane for a local flight. After a failed attempt to start the engine, the pilot recalled securing the master switch and the magnetos prior to exiting the cockpit to rotate the propeller by hand. While turning the propeller to "limber" the oil, the airplane's engine inadvertently started. As the airplane moved forward, an unknown part of the airplane contacted the pilot causing serious injuries. The airplane, with the passenger still on-board, traversed the airport before colliding with trees. The passenger was seriously injured and the airplane was substantially damaged. A responding fire fighter reported turning off the magneto and fuel switches during the initial response.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground handling event during prior to flight
- Miscellaneous/other during standing (engine(s) not oper) defining event
- AC/prop/rotor contact w person during standing (engine(s) start-up)
- Ground collision
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › (general) › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › (general) › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Unintentional use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 226 hours in all; 226 in this make and model; 38 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 187 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,164 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2008; 38 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor O-200 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.27 inHg
- Observation at 9:49 pm from JSO, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.