Summary
On November 30, 2008, a Piper PA-15 (N4659H) was involved in an incident near Pleasanton, TX. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane while hand-starting the engine.
Prior to starting the engine, the pilot had tied down the airplane's tail on the ramp with a rope because no wheel chocks were available. After the pilot started the engine via hand turning the propeller, the rope that retained the airplane broke. The pilot attempted to hang onto the airplane in order to regain control, however, he was unsuccessful. The unoccupied airplane then struck a parked aircraft, a fence, and came to rest on its nose against the fence. The pilot was not injured.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN09CA077. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N4659H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane while hand-starting the engine.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
Prior to starting the engine, the pilot had tied down the airplane's tail on the ramp with a rope because no wheel chocks were available. After the pilot started the engine via hand turning the propeller, the rope that retained the airplane broke. The pilot attempted to hang onto the airplane in order to regain control, however, he was unsuccessful. The unoccupied airplane then struck a parked aircraft, a fence, and came to rest on its nose against the fence. The pilot was not injured.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN09CA077