No fatalities

Aircraft Collides with Hangar After Engine Start Without Parking Brake

Phillipsburg, OH, United States

On January 17, 2013, a PIPER PA-24-250 operated by MATHIAS JAMES G was involved in an aviation accident near Phillipsburg, OH. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper operation of the airplane controls during engine start, which resulted in a collision with a hangar. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 2026-08-03Data APIEditorial standards

An airplane moved forward during engine start because the parking brake was not set. The pilot's throttle input increased power, leading to a collision with a hangar and substantial wing damage.

Accident Sequence

During engine start, the airplane began to move forward unexpectedly because the parking brake had not been set. The pilot reported that he pushed the throttle "in" while simultaneously reaching for the hand brake in an attempt to stop the airplane. The throttle input caused an increase in engine power, and the airplane rolled forward until it collided with a hangar.

Examination

A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the throttle was in the full forward (full power) position. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airplane. The wings sustained substantial damage in the collision.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationPilot