FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Aircraft Collides with Parked Airplanes After Hand-Propping (N9443K)

Hillsboro, OR, US

On April 5, 1990, a Stinson 108-2 (registration N9443K) was involved in an aviation accident near Hillsboro, OR. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: PILOT DISPLAYED POOR STARTING PROCEDURES BY PROCEEDING WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES WITH THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE INADEQUACIES OF THE TIE DOWN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot reported that after hand-propping the engine, the aircraft overrode the parking brake and broke its tie-down chain, then collided with two parked aircraft.

Incident Details

According to the pilot's report, before attempting to start the engine, he secured the tail of the airplane with a tie-down chain, set the parking brake, and adjusted the throttle to 550 RPM. He then proceeded to hand-prop the engine. After the engine started, the pilot began to walk around the airplane, when he noticed the airplane starting to move forward.

Sequence of Events

The airplane overrode the parking brake and broke the tie-down chain. The pilot attempted to get inside the cockpit but slipped and was unable to do so. The airplane continued moving forward and eventually collided with two parked airplanes. The pilot reported that the parking brake was not sufficient to hold the aircraft, and the tie-down chain broke under the strain. The pilot's slip prevented him from re-entering the cockpit to stop the aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Apr 1990 Stinson 108-2 accident near Hillsboro, OR?

A pilot reported that after hand-propping the engine, the aircraft overrode the parking brake and broke its tie-down chain, then collided with two parked aircraft.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Apr 1990 Stinson 108-2 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Apr 1990 involved a Stinson 108-2, registration N9443K, at Hillsboro, OR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

PILOT DISPLAYED POOR STARTING PROCEDURES BY PROCEEDING WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES WITH THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE INADEQUACIES OF THE TIE DOWN. THE PILOT DID NOT ATTAIN ASSISTANCE FOR THIS PROCEDURE WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRPLANE GETTING AWAY AND COLLIDING WITH TWO PARKED AIRPLANES.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X23031. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.