Accident
On May 22, 2012, about 2200 eastern daylight time, two Piper PA-28-161 aircraft were involved in a ground collision at Melbourne International Airport (MLB), Melbourne, Florida. The accident occurred while both aircraft were holding short on taxiway Alpha behind another airplane. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plans were filed for the instructional flights operated under 14 CFR Part 91.
N602FT, with a certificated flight instructor and a certificated private pilot on board, was stopped behind a Cessna holding short of runway 9R. A few seconds later, N602FT was struck from behind by N47749, operated by a certificated private pilot. Neither aircraft reported any injuries. N602FT sustained substantial damage, while N47749 sustained minor damage.
Personnel Information
According to FAA and FIT Aviation records, the private pilots in both airplanes were enrolled in FIT Aviation's commercial pilot certification course. The flight instructor in N602FT was employed by FIT Aviation.
The private pilot in N47749 held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on June 30, 2011. He reported 137 total hours of flight experience, 46 of which were in the accident airplane make and model.
The private pilot in N602FT held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA second-class medical certificate was issued on July 6, 2011. He reported 155 total hours of flight experience, 76 of which were in the accident airplane make and model.
The flight instructor in N602FT held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multi-engine land, and instrument airplane. He also held a flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine and instrument airplane. His most recent FAA first-class medical certificate was issued on June 1, 2011. He reported 782 total hours of flight experience, 738 of which were in single-engine airplanes.
Aircraft Information
Both aircraft involved were Piper PA-28-161 models. N47749 was manufactured in 1977 and had accrued 7,174 total hours at its last 100-hour inspection on April 30, 2012. N602FT was manufactured in 1989 and had accrued 17,077 total hours at its last 100-hour inspection on April 30, 2012.
Both aircraft are single-engine, four-seat, low-wing monoplanes with fixed tricycle landing gear. They are powered by carbureted 160-horsepower engines. The braking system includes toe brakes and a parking brake actuated by a hand lever.
Meteorological Information
The reported weather at MLB at 2127 included winds from 190 degrees at 9 knots, 10 miles visibility, clear sky, temperature 26°C, dew point 21°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.93 inches of mercury. Sunset occurred at 2010, and the end of civil twilight at 2036. The moon was a waxing crescent with 3% illumination; moonset was at 2145.
Airport Information
Melbourne International Airport is a towered public-use airport located 2 miles northwest of Melbourne, Florida. At the time, runway 9R was in use. Taxiway Alpha, the parallel taxiway for runway 9R, had no edge markings, but centerline markings, enhanced centerline markings, holding position markings, edge lighting, and signs were in good condition.
Wreckage and Impact Information
Postaccident examination of N47749 revealed minor damage. The propeller exhibited chordwise scratching and leading edge gouging where blades contacted the left side of N602FT's stabilator. Minor scratching was present on the right wing where it contacted the right side of N602FT's stabilator.
Examination of N602FT revealed substantial damage: multiple prop strike marks on the left stabilator and approximately 2 feet of the left outboard section severed.
Tests and Research
The private pilot in N47749 reported that after stopping behind N602FT, he set the parking brake and then looked at the tachometer to set 1,000 rpm. The airplane then slowly moved forward and struck N602FT. He later realized the parking brake had not been set. Examination of N47749's brake system revealed no preimpact failure or malfunction; both toe brakes and parking brake were functional. Maintenance records showed recent brake pad and disc replacements with no reported issues.
The parking brake system incorporates a hand lever and master cylinder. Review of the toe brake installation noted that if a pilot's feet are not positioned properly, full braking may not be available. Once the parking brake is applied, additional braking effort requires releasing the hand lever before using toe brakes or hand lever again.
Organizational and Management Information
Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) founded in 1958, operates FIT Aviation LLC, which provides ground and flight training under 14 CFR Part 141. In 2012, the FIT aviation fleet of 45 airplanes accrued approximately 38,000 total hours. Of these, 42 airplanes had a braking system similar to the accident aircraft. The parking brake was operated about 30 to 42 times per day per airplane.
In response to the accident, FIT Aviation revised its Flight Operations Manual to include expanded guidance on parking brake use and precautions not to rely solely on the parking brake with the engine running. Lesson plans were also revised to emphasize this precaution.