Pilot Debrief

PIPER PA46 near Grand Island, NE — 2013-02-13

Final reportCEN13LA171
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Date
2013-02-13
Location
Grand Island, NE, USA
Airport
GRI
Aircraft
PIPER PA46
Registration
N32CA
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Ground

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after engine start.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane began to roll forward about 1 minute after engine start and impacted a building. The pilot stated that, though the airplane slowed when he pumped the brakes several times, he could not stop it using both toe brakes. An employee of the fixed based operator who witnessed the accident stated that the airplane's propeller was operating "at high speed" as it moved forward into a grass area before impacting the building. The pilot reported that the engine was stopped before impact. Postaccident examination of the airplane braking system revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Available evidence suggests that the pilot did not reduce engine power and effectively apply the brakes in sufficient time to stop the airplane.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have ensured brakes were fully operational before starting engine.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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