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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

December 15, 2012 · Piper PA28R 180 · N3915T

Newport News, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 2012
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Newport News, VA
Aircraft
Piper PA28R 180
Tail Number
N3915T
Operator
Rick Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA13CA091

The pilot stated that he positioned his feet on the toe brake pedals during engine start. After starting, the engine accelerated to a higher rpm than the pilot expected, and the airplane began to roll forward. The pilot pressed down with his feet, but the airplane continued to roll. After reducing the throttle to idle, the pilot attempted to steer the airplane with the rudder pedals, but they were fixed and would not move. As the airplane neared a hangar, the pilot shut down the engine with the fuel mixture control and turned the magneto switch off. The airplane then impacted the hangar, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the rudder pedal or toe brake systems. In a postaccident statement, the pilot offered that, rather than placing his feet on the brake pedals, he inadvertently pressed on the torque tube assembly, which is part of the airframe structure located above the toe brake pedals.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to properly monitor the flight controls (toe brake pedals) during engine start.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that he positioned his feet on the toe brake pedals during engine start. After starting, the engine accelerated to a higher rpm than expected, and the airplane began to roll forward. The pilot pressed down with his feet, but the airplane continued to roll. After reducing the throttle to idle, the pilot attempted to steer the airplane with the rudder pedals, but stated that they were fixed and would not move. As the airplane neared a hangar, the pilot shut down the engine with the fuel mixture control and turned the magneto switch off. The airplane then impacted the hangar, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. Postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no anomalies of the rudder pedal or toe brake systems. The pilot offered that he inadvertently pressed on the torque tube assembly, which was part of the airframe structure located above the toe brake pedals.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:31 EST
Nearest AirportNewport News International (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPiper PA28R 180
Tail NumberN3915T
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRick Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO360 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 32 C
Altimeter30.23 inHg
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data