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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 26, 2002 · Piper PA-30 · N752CF

Tallahassee, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Tallahassee, FL
Aircraft
Piper PA-30
Tail Number
N752CF
Operator
James Fessler
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA03CA037

According to the pilot he pulled the airplane from the hangar and was intending to fly to Miami. He could not start the left engine so he exited the airplane and proceeded to pull the propeller. The left engine inadvertently started, and collided with a hangar door, with the engine running. The pilot told the police "...he...went to start the left engine and the engine starter hung up, so he got out of the aircraft and went to turn the left propeller, and the engine started since the switches had been left on the on position."

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper start procedure which resulted in an unintentional engine start, and unoccupied aircraft collision with hangar structure.

Full Narrative

On December 26, 2002, about 0615 central standard time, a Piper PA-30, N752CF, registered to Security 4 It Inc., and operated by an individual, impacted with a hangar door at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, Tallahassee, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time. According to the pilot he pulled the airplane from the hangar and was intending to fly to Miami. He could not start the left engine because he believed that the bendix starter had remained engaged. Unable to start the engine, he got out of the airplane and proceeded to pull the propeller. The pilot stated that the "...left propeller was moved. The engine started unexpectedly. The aircraft struck a hanger door with the engine running." The pilot told the police "...the engine started since the switches had been left on the on position."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:15 EST
Nearest AirportTallahassee Regional (0nm)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA-30
Tail NumberN752CF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJames Fessler
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-32-B!A · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDawn
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data