Cessna 177 accident near Elkhart, Indiana, July 14, 2019
On July 14, 2019 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1968 Cessna 177, registered N29516, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing near Elkhart, Indiana (Elkhart Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An inadvertent engine start of the airplane and subsequent takeoff without the pilot on-board for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 14, 2019 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Elkhart, Indiana · Elkhart Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 Undesignat, built 1968 · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N29516 · no longer on the register · serial 17700938
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot preflighted the airplane for a flight with two passengers. The passengers sat in the airplane with their seatbelts secured when the pilot lowered the propeller blade by manually “smacking it down” in a clockwise direction. The engine started, and the airplane began to move forward under its own power. The pilot attempted to board the airplane while it was rolling but was unable to. The airplane traveled across a ramp area, through a grassy area, over a taxiway, and up a slight grade where it became airborne momentarily before it came to rest in a field. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Postaccident examination of the airplane found the mixture and throttle in the full-forward position and the ignition key removed from the ignition. The key’s position before the accident could not be confirmed. When the pilot rotated the propeller an inadvertent engine start occurred. The reason for the inadvertent start could not be determined based on available evidence.
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
- Loss of control on ground during standing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine starting › (general) › Unintentional use/operation
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,200 hours in all; 2,200 in this make and model
- Last flight review: July 1, 2019
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 10:54 am from KSBN, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSBN 141454Z 07007KT 10SM CLR 27/17 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP203 T02670172 51002
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on December 13, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Record of Conversation with Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Passenger Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation with FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photographs | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.