MIA03CA037

Factual 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." 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." Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12