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GAA16CA162

2016-03-26 · Homestead, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport X51

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilots decision to hand prop the airplane's engine without securing the airplane, resulting a runaway airplane and collision with a fence.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he shut down the engine to reposition the airplane prior to finishing the run-up. Upon attempting to restart the engine, the airplane's battery charge was low and the engine would not start. The pilot further reported that he set the parking brake, and hand propped the engine. The airplane's engine started and the airplane began to move without the pilot on board. The airplane impacted the airport's perimeter fence, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that he shut down the engine to reposition the airplane prior to finishing the run-up. Upon attempting to restart the engine, the airplane's battery charge was low and the engine would not start. The pilot further reported that he set the parking brake, and hand propped the engine. The airplane's engine started and the airplane began to move without the pilot on board. The airplane impacted the airport's perimeter fence, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings.   According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-Parking/securing-Tie-down/mooring-Incorrect use/operation - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA162.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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