# NTSB GAA16CA162: Piper PA24, N55UA, Homestead, FL, March 26, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 26, 2016, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Homestead, FL - Coordinates: 25.505832, -80.553054 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.5058&lon=-80.5531&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Prior to flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/100) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Prior to flight: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 1, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 92901 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92901/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92901 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA162 ## Probable cause The pilots decision to hand prop the airplane's engine without securing the airplane, resulting a runaway airplane and collision with a fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Parking/securing: tie-down/mooring](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020): Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01011020/cases.md?model=7102402), [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: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080) (defining event); cases with it: [Piper PA-24, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=7102402), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he shut down the engine to reposition the airplane prior to finishing the run-up. Upon attempting to restart the engine, the airplane's battery charge was low and the engine would not start. The pilot further reported that he set the parking brake, and hand propped the engine. The airplane's engine started and the airplane began to move without the pilot on board. The airplane impacted the airport's perimeter fence, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he shut down the engine to reposition the airplane prior to finishing the run-up. Upon attempting to restart the engine, the airplane's battery charge was low and the engine would not start. The pilot further reported that he set the parking brake, and hand propped the engine. The airplane's engine started and the airplane began to move without the pilot on board. The airplane impacted the airport's perimeter fence, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55UA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55UA-2018-04-16), registration cancelled 2018-04-16, S/N 24-667 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA24 (180) - Registry model: [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24) (registry code 7102402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-667 - Year built: 1959 - Airframe hours: 2953.88 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1A reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2016 - Departed: X51, Homestead, FL - Destination: X51, Homestead, FL - Airport: X51, Homestead General Aviation - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2014; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 226.5 total, 78 in this make and model, 78 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KHST, 9 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 20160326020959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160326020959A), Mar 26, 2016: Piper PA-24, Homestead, FL, Substantial damage. N55UA was in the parking area between runway 18 and runway 10 when the pilot attempted to hand prop the PA-24 due to a low battery. The pilot stated he set the… ## Other investigations on N55UA (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 MIA86LA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA231), Aug 11, 1986: Piper PA24-180 (N55UA), Orlando, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 12, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92901. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440121&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 622 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40440122&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.