Incident Overview
A student pilot, while taxiing after receiving clearance, released the parking brake and began to roll forward. During a routine brake check, the pilot applied the brakes but found them ineffective. The airplane continued rolling and struck a parked airplane.
Witness Accounts
Several witnesses reported hearing the airplane operating at a high power setting before it impacted the stationary aircraft at a high rate of speed.
Aircraft Damage
The accident airplane sustained structural damage aft of the firewall, damage to the firewall itself, and to the engine mount.
Brake System Examination
Following the incident, the operator, under FAA oversight, examined the brake system. The examination revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction, indicating the system was intact before the collision.
Additional Information
The student pilot was the sole occupant of the moving airplane. No other details about the aircraft, operator, or location were provided in the source material.