ANTARES US MA-34R near San Jose, CA — 2009-08-24

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during engine startup, which resulted in a collision with parked aircraft. Contributing to the accident was the engine's inadvertent increase to high power for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

The sport pilot instructor completed a lesson with a student and was planning to return to his home airport. While starting the engine, the power immediately increased and the airplane lurched forward. Over the course of several seconds, the airplane continued forward and collided with two parked airplanes. A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal the reason for the engine's sudden increase of power.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

Instructor should have checked engine controls before starting the engine.

NTSB coding

• Unknown or undetermined · Standing-engine(s) start-up

Evidence available

• 2 docket documents

Docket documents2

• Witness Statementinterview
• FAA Inspector Findingsother