No fatalities

Airplane Strikes Fence After Pilot Exits During Engine Hand-Prop Start

Homestead, FL, United States

On March 26, 2016, a PIPER PA24 180 was involved in an aviation accident near Homestead, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilots decision to hand prop the airplane's engine without securing the airplane, resulting a runaway airplane and collision with a fence. 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

A pilot shut down the engine to reposition the airplane before completing the run-up. Low battery prevented restart, so the pilot hand-propped the engine. The airplane then moved without the pilot and struck the airport perimeter fence, causing substantial wing damage.

Accident Details

The pilot reported that during preflight preparations, he shut down the engine to reposition the airplane prior to completing the run-up. When attempting to restart the engine, the airplane's battery charge was insufficient, and the engine would not start.

Hand-Prop Start and Movement

The pilot then set the parking brake and hand-propped the engine. The engine started, and the airplane began to move forward without the pilot on board. The aircraft traveled across the ramp and impacted the airport's perimeter fence.

Damage

The collision resulted in substantial damage to both wings of the airplane.

Pilot Report

According to the pilot, there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Contributing factors

PilotIncorrect use/operation