Probable cause
The pilot's attempt to start the engine by himself without properly securing the airplane.
NTSB analysis
The pilot had recently purchased the airplane. It was not equipped with a starter nor did it have a parking brake. Up until this time, the pilot had used someone else to hand prop the engine while he sat at the controls. This was the pilot's first attempt to start the engine by himself. The airplane was not tied down nor chocked. The engine started and the airplane taxied across the tarmac and collided with an airport-owned hangar. There was an intention for flight. The pilot admitted his "lack of experience with this aircraft and [his] overly-high confidence level [was the cause of the] accident."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15CA410 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 9, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Delphi, Indiana
- Nearest airport
- Delphi Municipal (1I9)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA-17
- N-number
- N4653H
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1948
- 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.