# NTSB MIA03CA037: Piper PA-30, N752CF, Tallahassee, FL, December 26, 2002

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 26, 2002, 06:15 local (12:15 UTC)
- Place: Tallahassee, FL
- Coordinates: 30.396389, -84.33361
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.3964&lon=-84.3336&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56280
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA03CA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56280/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA03CA037

## Probable cause

the pilot's improper start procedure which resulted in an unintentional engine start, and unoccupied aircraft collision with hangar structure.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, standing - starting engine(s)
  - starting procedure - discontinued, pilot in command (cause)
  - miscellaneous - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - object - hangar/airport building

## Analysis

According to the pilot he pulled the airplane from the hangar and was intending to fly to Miami.  He could not start the left engine so he exited the airplane and proceeded to pull the propeller.  The left engine inadvertently started, and collided with a hangar door, with the engine running.  The pilot told the police "...he...went to start the left engine and the engine starter hung up, so he got out of the aircraft and went to turn the left propeller, and the engine started since the switches had been left on the on position."

## Factual narrative

On December 26, 2002, about 0615 central standard time, a Piper PA-30, N752CF, registered to Security 4 It Inc., and operated by an individual, impacted with a hangar door at the Tallahassee Regional Airport, Tallahassee, Florida.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  The commercial-rated pilot reported no injuries.  The flight was originating at the time.

According to the pilot he pulled the airplane from the hangar and was intending to fly to Miami.  He could not start the left engine because he believed that the bendix starter had remained engaged.  Unable to start the engine, he got out of the airplane and proceeded to pull the propeller.  The pilot stated that the "...left propeller was moved.  The engine started unexpectedly.  The aircraft struck a hanger door with the engine running."   The pilot told the police "...the engine started since the switches had been left on the on position."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N752CF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N752CF), registered now, S/N 30-592, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-30
- Registry model: [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30) (registry code 7103002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PA30-592
- Engines: Lycoming IO-32-B!A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Fessler
- Registered owner: Security 4 IT Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TLH, Tallahassee, FL
- Destination: Miami, FL
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: TLH, Tallahassee Regional

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 2,479 total, 937 in this make and model, 56 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn

## Other investigations on N752CF (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 CHI90GA273](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90GA273), Sep 23, 1990: Piper PA-3O (N752CF), Cape Girardeau, MO, incident, minor damage. Probable cause: EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE LANDING GEAR EXTENSION LINKAGE. A FACTOR IN THE INCIDENT WAS UNRELIABILITY OF THE GEAR INDICATING SYSTEM.

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.

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