NYC84FA159

Factual narrative

THE PLT STATED TO POLICE THAT HE WAS POSITIONING THE PROP FOR A PHOTO WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED AND THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED 2500 FT UNATTENDED ACROSS THE ARPT BEFORE IT BECAME AIRBORNE AND STRUCK THE REAR OF A COMMERCIAL BLDG THAT HOUSED THREE BUSINESSES, INCLUDING AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THREE OCCUPANTS OF THE BLDG EVACUATED WITHOUT INJURY. THE AIRPLANE AND BLDG WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT, EXPLOSION, AND FIRE THAT WAS FED BY ACFT FUEL AND FLAMMABLES IN THE BLDG. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT RVLD THAT THE THROTTLE AND MIXTURE CNTRLS WERE IN THE OPEN POSITION; HOWEVER, EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE PRECLUDED AN EXAM OF THE IGNITION SWITCH, PARKING BRAKE, OR BATTERY. THE CHOCKS AND TIE DOWN ROPES HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE ACFT. THE STUDENT PLT/OWNER OF N5385F REFUSED TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO NTSB PERSONNEL. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12