Aeronca 7AC accident near Ankeny, Iowa, March 11, 2020
On March 11, 2020 at about 9:45 pm local time, a 1956 Aeronca 7AC, registered N83032, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Ankeny, Iowa (Ankeny Rgnl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper starting procedure, which allowed the airplane to move forward over the wheel chocks and impact him and a hangar when he subsequently hand propped the engine.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 2020 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Ankeny, Iowa · Ankeny Rgnl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aeronca 7AC No Series, built 1956 · all 7ACs on the register
- Registration
- N83032 · registry record · serial 7AC-1688
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he attempted to hand prop the engine numerous times without success. He returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch to the "off" position and advanced the throttle to between 1/2 and 3/4 travel. He then exited the cockpit and turned the propeller backward five to six "blades" to clear the cylinders. The pilot again returned to the cockpit and turned the magneto switch back to the "on" position, but he did not retard the throttle back to idle. He attempted to hand prop the engine again, and it started. Due to the engine's throttle setting, the airplane moved forward over the wheel chocks and struck the pilot, which resulted in serious injuries, and then a hangar, which resulted in substantial damage to the firewall and fuselage.
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 (engine(s) start-up) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during standing (engine(s) operating)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Person › Effect on operation
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Airport structure › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: none
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 18 knots, gusting 31
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft; a few clouds at 3,900 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 9:35 pm from KIKV
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on June 3, 2020. 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 Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | 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.
Other NTSB records under N83032 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.