Probable cause
The pilot's failure to adequately secure the airplane while hand-starting the engine.
NTSB 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA077 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 30, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pleasanton, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Pleasanton Municipal Airport (PEZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-15
- N-number
- N4659H
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.