Piper PA24 accident near Homestead, Florida, March 26, 2016
On March 26, 2016 at about 3:00 pm local time, a 1959 Piper PA24, registered N55UA, was substantially damaged in an accident during prior to flight near Homestead, Florida (Homestead General Aviation airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots decision to hand prop the airplane's engine without securing the airplane, resulting a runaway airplane and collision with a fence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 26, 2016 · about 3:00 pm local time
- Place
- Homestead, Florida · Homestead General Aviation · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA24 180, built 1959 · all PA24s on the register
- Registration
- N55UA · no longer on the register · serial 24-667
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground handling event during prior to flight defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Parking/securing › Tie › down/mooring › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 226.5 hours in all; 78 in this make and model; 78 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 1, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,953.9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 1, 2016
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X51 Homestead FL
- Destination: X51 Homestead FL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 2,200 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 3:23 pm from KHST, 9 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N55UA the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.