Pilot Debrief

WSK PZL MIELEC M-18A near Mountain Home, ID — 2008-11-08

Final reportWPR09CA041
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Date
2008-11-08
Location
Mountain Home, ID, USA
Airport
U76
Aircraft
WSK PZL MIELEC M-18A
Registration
N81705
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, and, his failure to properly secure the aircraft as he left the cockpit with the engine operating, which resulted in the unoccupied airplane inadvertently becoming airborne and colliding with a fence and terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported he was taxing the airplane to the active runway when he realized the airplane's tail wheel lock was engaged. With the engine still running, the pilot set the parking brake, installed the control lock and exited the airplane with the intention of manually unlocking the tail wheel. When the pilot exited the cockpit he inadvertently knocked/pushed the throttle forward, to a high power setting, and the airplane started to roll across the taxiway. The unoccupied airplane accelerated, momentarily became airborne, and collided with an airport perimeter fence and terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage and both wings. No pre accident mechanical malfunctions or failures were reported.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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