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NTSB Report
September 9, 2015 · Piper PA-17 · N4653H
Delphi, IN
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 2015
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Delphi, IN
Aircraft
Piper PA-17 (1948)
Tail Number
N4653H
Operator
Eric D Stull
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN15CA410
The pilot had recently purchased the airplane. It 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 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."
NTSB Probable Cause
Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience w/ equipment-Pilot
Full 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."
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EDT
Nearest AirportDelphi Municipal (0nm NE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-17
Tail NumberN4653H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorEric D Stull
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-145 · Reciprocating · 65
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 21 · Second Class · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time22:35
Weather SourceWFAC