What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on null involved a aircraft, registration EI-BCL, at IE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the pilot's failure to correctly configure the aircraft for engine start, specifically failing to set the parking brake or use chocks, which allowed the aircraft to move uncontrollably after the pilot accidentally applied carb heat instead of throttle.

Ground collision at Kilrush airfield destroys aircraft wing

A Cessna 182P collided with a parked CAP 10C during engine start, resulting in the destruction of the stationary aircraft's wing.

What happened

On 15 February 2003, at a private airfield in Kilrush, Co. Kildary, a Cessna 182P, registration EI-BCL, was involved in a ground collision with a parked CAP 10C, registration G-CPXC. The incident occurred during the engine start sequence of the Cessna.

Prior to the start, the pilot of the Cessna had positioned the aircraft near the edge of Runway 29/11, facing toward the control tower. At the time, the CAP 10C was parked near the tower and was undergoing refueling. After experiencing initial difficulty starting the engine with a ground battery pack, the pilot successfully fired the engine. However, during the process, the pilot inadvertently manipulated the carb heat control instead of the throttle. This caused the aircraft to accelerate unexpectedly toward the stationary CAP 10C.

Despite the pilot attempting to use the right brake and subsequently both brakes, the aircraft skidded across the grass. The propeller of the Cessna 182P struck the port wing of the CAP 10C, severing the wing near the root and destroying the carbon fiber spar and fabric. The impact continued through the canopy and fuselage of the stationary aircraft. No injuries were reported to the occupants of either aircraft or the ground personnel nearby.

The investigation

The investigation examined the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's actions, and the mechanical state of the controls. Investigators noted that the engine start was complicated by a low battery, necessitating the use of an external power pack. The investigation also reviewed the cockpit controls, specifically the proximity of the throttle and carb heat controls, and the pilot's lack of familiarity with this specific aircraft type.

Findings

Several contributing factors led to the collision:

The aircraft was not secured with chocks, and the parking brake was not engaged prior to engine start.
The pilot misidentified the carb heat control as the throttle control.
The sudden acceleration, combined with sun glare and the pilot's limited experience on this specific model, contributed to the error.
The failure to properly configure the aircraft for start allowed the unintended acceleration to result in a collision.

Damage to the Cessna 182P included significant engine and propeller damage, with the propeller blades and hub requiring replacement due to high-speed impact loading. The CAP 10C sustained a destroyed port wing, requiring a complete replacement of the wing structure.