# NTSB CEN13CA139: Piper PA-24-250, N5269P, Phillipsburg, OH, January 17, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 17, 2013, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Phillipsburg, OH - Coordinates: 39.829353, -84.409759 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8294&lon=-84.4098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 86067 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86067/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86067 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA139 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper operation of the airplane controls during engine start, which resulted in a collision with a hangar. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Incorrect use/operation; cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Standing-engine(s) start-up: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Standing-engine(s) operating: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Piper PA-24-250, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7102404), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot started the airplane without the hand-brake set, and the airplane began to move forward. The pilot stated that he pushed the throttle "in" and at the same time reached for the hand-brake in an attempt to stop the airplane. The throttle input increased engine power, and the airplane rolled forward until it collided with a hanger. The airplane’s wings were substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the airplane found the throttle in the full forward (full power) position. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane were reported. ## Factual narrative The pilot started the airplane without the parking park set. When the airplane's engine was started the airplane began to move forward. The pilot stated that he pushed the throttle "in" and at the same time reached for the hand-brake in an attempt to stop the airplane. The throttle input increased engine power and the airplane rolled forward until it collided with a hanger. The airplane’s wings were substantially damaged. A postaccident examination of the airplane found the throttle in the full forward (full power) position. No preimpact anomalies were detected with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5269P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5269P-2017-10-20), registration cancelled 2017-10-20, S/N 24-307, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-24-250 - Registry model: [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250) (registry code 7102404) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-307 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mathias James G - Registered owner: Mathias James G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: K3I7, Phillipsburg, OH - Destination: K3I7, Phillipsburg, OH - Airport: K3I7, Phillipsburg Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 380 total, 10 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 5 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KDAY, 8 nm away ## 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 20130117000239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130117000239A), Jan 17, 2013: Piper PA-24-250, Phillipsburg, OH, Substantial damage. During engine start the aircraft's engine produced power causing the aircraft to move rapidly. The parking brake was not set, and the aircraft impacted a… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 8, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86067. 633 KB in all. - FAA record of conversation with the pilot (item 1, .PDF, 633 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40391765&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20record%20of%20conversation%20with%20the%20pilot-Master.PDF 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.