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WPR12CA137

2012-03-14 · Caldwell, Idaho, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport EUL

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot did not properly secure the airplane before starting the engine by manually rotating the propeller, which resulted in the inadvertent movement of the airplane.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that prior to starting the engine by manually rotating the propeller, he set the bakes, throttle, and trim. He exited the airplane, and proceeded to rotate the propeller. When the engine started, it went to full rpm and the airplane started to move forward on the taxiway at a high speed. The airplane veered off the taxiway and continued its high speed taxi until it impacted a hangar door, damaging the engine, both wings, and the right main landing gear. The pilot reported to the responding officer that he had not chocked the airplane and thought the brake was set. He further reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. The pilot stated that, before starting the engine by manually rotating the propeller, he set the brakes, throttle, and trim. He exited the airplane and proceeded to rotate the propeller. When the engine started, it went to full rpm, and the airplane started to move forward on the taxiway at a high speed. The airplane veered off the taxiway and continued its high speed taxi until it impacted a hangar door, damaging the engine, both wings, and the right main landing gear. The pilot reported that he had not chocked the airplane and thought the brake was set. He further reported there were no mechanical problems with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-Parking/securing-Tie-down/mooring-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_WPR12CA137.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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