Probable cause
The pilot's failure to properly secure the airplane before attempting to hand-prop the engine.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that the airplane was tied down on the right side, and the right main landing gear wheel was chocked. After hand-propping the engine, the airplane's tie-down rope "came loose," and the airplane "veered" into an adjacent hangar. The right wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by "using a better quality tie-down rope, having a second pilot in the airplane holding the brakes, or by having both wheels chocked instead of just one."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA10CA224 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 11, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Louisburg, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Franklin County (LHZ)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA17
- N-number
- N4699H
- 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.