9 Sep 2015: PIPER PA-17 — Eric D. Stull

9 Sep 2015: PIPER PA-17 — Eric D. Stull

No fatalities • Delphi, IN, United States

Probable cause

The pilot's attempt to start the engine by himself without properly securing the airplane.

— NTSB Determination

Accident 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."

Contributing factors

  • cause Pilot
  • Pilot
  • Not installed/available

Conditions

Weather
VMC, wind 350/04kt, vis 10sm

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