Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA28R near Newport News, VA — 2012-12-15

Final reportERA13CA091
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Date
2012-12-15
Location
Newport News, VA, USA
Airport
PHF
Aircraft
PIPER PA28R
Registration
N3915T
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

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

NTSB 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 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 coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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