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SEA99LA062

1999-05-16 · OMAK, Washington, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport OMK

Current FAA registration · N73040

Make / Model
CESSNA 172M
Year of manufacture
1976 · 23 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19760511
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A9CE08

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to properly secure the aircraft before hand-propping.

Factual narrative

On May 16, 1999 about 1000 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N73040, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a hanger at Omak Airport, Omak, Washington. The pilot was not injured and there was no report of a fire or activation of the aircraft's ELT. Because of a low battery situation, the pilot elected to hand-prop the airplane. The pilot stated he set the aircraft's parking brake and proceeded to start the engine. Once started, the aircraft rolled approximately 100 feet across the tarmac and collided with a hanger. The pilot was unable to gain access to the aircraft before it collided with the hanger. He stated the aircraft's parking brake was not completely set and the aircraft was not chocked. Because of a low battery situation, the pilot elected to hand-prop the airplane. Once started, the aircraft rolled approximately 100 feet across the tarmac and collided with a hangar. The pilot was unable to gain access to the aircraft before it collided with the hangar. The aircraft's parking brake was not properly set and the wheels were not chocked. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1999_SEA99LA062.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.