Cessna 170A accident near Palmetto, Florida, March 12, 2015
On March 12, 2015 at about 8:50 pm local time, a 1951 Cessna 170A, registered N170TW, was substantially damaged in an accident during prior to flight near Palmetto, Florida (Airport Manatee). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to use the proper hand propping procedures, resulting in a runaway airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 12, 2015 · about 8:50 pm local time
- Place
- Palmetto, Florida · Airport Manatee · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 170A, built 1951 · all 170As on the register
- Registration
- N170TW · no longer on the register · serial 20197
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger were on a cross-country flight when the pilot noticed that the battery was no longer charging. After landing, the pilot decided to save battery power for the return flight by hand propping the airplane. He briefed the passenger for the hand start procedure, but did not realize the throttle was in the full throttle position. Upon starting, the engine went to full power. The pilot was unable to reenter the airplane before it made two tight left circles on the ramp and collided with an open hangar and the airplane inside. Federal Aviation Administration Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge FAA-8037-3a contains a section titled, "Hand Propping", which indicates to never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The section also indicates that an additional precaution includes placement of chalks in front of the main tires or if not feasible, the airplane's tail may be securely tied.
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 collision during prior to flight defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Airport structure › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Battery/charger › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 825 hours in all; 610 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 825 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 31, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 825 hours in all; 610 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 825 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 31, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,172 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 6, 2013
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor C145 SERIES (piston); 3,011 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SRQ Sarasota/Bradenton FL at 7:40 pm
- Destination: SRQ Sarasota/Bradenton FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 07, 3,120 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,500 ft; scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KSRQ, 15 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
6 documents, released by the NTSB on May 26, 2015. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record - Pilot | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for Record - Weather | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Photo 1 - Right Wing, Right Wing Strut, Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo 2 - Wings and Fuselage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 1 page | 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.