Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's distraction during the engine warm-up, which resulted in the airplane's collision with a hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to set the brakes.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that he had the seat all the way back and that he was checking the weather because he planned to perform a 10-minute-long engine warm-up. After 5 minutes, he noticed that the engine rpm increased from 800 to 1,200. He recalled that when he noticed the increase in engine rpm, he was about to adjust the throttle, but the airplane began to roll and collided with a hangar. The pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by keeping his feet on the brakes during the engine warm-up. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that he had pulled the airplane out of the hangar, and that he believed that the airplane's wheels were stuck in the snow. During the engine warm-up, he had the seat all the way back and he was checking the weather, as he planned to perform a ten-minute run-up. After five minutes he noticed that the engine RPM increased from 800 RPM to 1,200 RPM. He recalled that when he noticed the increase in engine RPM, he was about to adjust the throttle, but the airplane began to roll and collided with a hangar. Additionally, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented by keeping his feet on the brakes during the engine run-up. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.