# NTSB CEN09CA077: Piper PA-15, N4659H, Pleasanton, TX, November 30, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 30, 2008, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Pleasanton, TX - Coordinates: 28.954166, -98.519721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9542&lon=-98.5197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 69516 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69516/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane while hand-starting the engine. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action selection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 397 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041010/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect service/maintenance (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft servicing event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020); cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/020/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-15, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=7101502), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4659H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4659H), registered now, S/N 15-368, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-15 - Registry model: [Piper PA-15](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-15) (registry code 7101502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-145B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-145b-series) (registry code 41502, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15-368 - Airframe hours: 1162 - Engines: Lycoming O-145-B 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ralph A. Hoyt - Registered owner: Robert W. Talbott - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 28, 2008 - Departed: PEZ, Pleasanton, TX - Destination: PEZ, Pleasanton, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: PEZ, Pleasanton Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 85; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 7,883 total, 1 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20081130854289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081130854289A), Nov 30, 2008: Piper PA15, Pleasanton, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) The airplane was started by hand with the tail tied by a rope. The rope broke and the pilot could not hold it. The airplane struck left wing of adjacent… ## Other investigations on N4659H (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB IAD78DKM04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD78DKM04), Jan 5, 1978: Piper PA-15 (N4659H), Cherokee, NC, destroyed From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.