PIPER PA-17
Delphi, IN — September 9, 2015
Event Information
| Date | September 9, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN15CA410 |
| Event ID | 20150914X05723 |
| Location | Delphi, IN |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.54306, -86.68139 |
| Airport | DELPHI MUNICIPAL |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | PIPER |
| Model | PA-17 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's attempt to start the engine by himself without properly securing the airplane.
Full Narrative
According to the pilot's written statement, he had recently purchased the airplane. The airplane was not equipped with a starter nor did it have a parking brake. Up until this time, the pilot had used someone else to hand prop the engine while he sat at the controls. This was the pilot's first attempt to start the engine by himself. The airplane was not tied down nor chocked. The engine started on the second attempt. The pilot said he had either primed the engine too much or had the throttle set too high. When the engine started, it accelerated to high RPM and the airplane taxied across the tarmac and collided with an airport-owned hangar. There was an intention for flight. The pilot admitted his "lack of experience with this aircraft and [his] overly-high confidence level [was the cause of the] accident."
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.