Cirrus SR22 accident near Mason City, Iowa, September 8, 2018
On September 8, 2018 at about 4:45 pm local time, a 2005 Cirrus SR22, registered N669HT, was substantially damaged in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Mason City, Iowa (Mason City Muni airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper hand propping procedure, which resulted in a runaway airplane and subsequent impact with a hangar.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 8, 2018 · about 4:45 pm local time
- Place
- Mason City, Iowa · Mason City Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cirrus SR22 Undesignat, built 2005 · all SR22s on the register
- Registration
- N669HT · no longer on the register · serial 1679
- 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 the battery was too low to start the engine, so he asked fixed-base operator personnel if they could assist with a jumper pack. They told him that they did not have anyone on duty authorized to assist and that he would have to wait a couple of days. He decided to start the engine by hand propping. Before he began hand propping, he set the parking brake. Following the engine start, the airplane began to move forward. The pilot attempted to re-enter the airplane to apply the brakes, but the airplane struck a hangar. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector who examined the airplane after the accident reported that the parking brake functioned normally. He added that the pilot stated that he was sure he set the brakes but that he may not have gotten enough pressure to hold the airplane. The Federal Aviation Administration's Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3A, contained a section titled "Hand Propping" which states the following: An engine should not be hand propped unless two people, both familiar with the airplane and hand propping techniques, are available to perform the procedure. The person pulling the propeller blades through directs all activity and is in charge of the procedure. The other person, thoroughly familiar with the controls, must be seated in the airplane with the brakes set. As an additional precaution, chocks may be placed in front of the main wheels. If this is not feasible, the airplane's tail may be securely tied. Never allow a person unfamiliar with the controls to occupy the pilot's seat when hand propping. The procedure should never be attempted alone.
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
- Electrical system malf/failure during standing (engine(s) start-up)
- Loss of control on ground during standing (engine(s) start-up) defining event
- Attempted remediation/recovery during standing (engine(s) start-up)
- Ground collision during standing (engine(s) start-up)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Airport structure › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Electrical power system › Battery/charger › Not serviced/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 373 hours in all; 373 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 13, 2018
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 845 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 3,120 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-550 (piston); 845 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MCW Mason City IA
- Flight plan: not recorded
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 9 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.25 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from KMCW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on December 3, 2018. 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 | Accident Picture | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Roc | 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.