Incident Overview
On August 28, 2015, about 1010 Pacific daylight time, a Dassault Falcon 2000, registration N187AA, and a Beech C90, registration N959MC, were damaged during a ground collision at McCarran International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas, Nevada. The Falcon 2000 was registered to Anton Air LLC and operated by SC Aviation, Inc. The Beech C90 was registered to and operated by Nebraskaland Tire Inc. The Beech C90 sustained substantial damage, while the Falcon 2000 sustained minor damage. The sole occupant of the Beech C90, an airline transport pilot, and the two airline transport pilots and two passengers aboard the Falcon 2000 were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and both flights were planned under Part 91 with IFR flight plans.
Sequence of Events
The pilot of the Beech C90 reported that after completing preflight checks, he noticed the Falcon 2000 beginning to move. Instead of turning into the designated lane, the Falcon continued straight ahead. Its right wing passed under the left wing of a parked Falcon 20, lifting it about a foot, then continued forward and collided with the C90's left wing, outboard of the engine. The collision moved the C90 backward about 20 feet and spun it left about 70 to 80 degrees, lodging a ground power unit under its tail.
The pilot-in-command (PIC) of the Falcon 2000 stated that during the Before Start checklist, the first officer (FO) had noted the BRAKE ACCU light illuminated. The FO referenced the Abnormal Checklist, which stated residual pressure allows six brake applications to the first detent and no further action required. The PIC set the parking brake and signaled for chock removal. As he reached for fuel switches, the FO said, "We're rolling." The PIC pressed the toe brakes with no response, then pulled the emergency brake handle, also with no response. The aircraft rolled across the ramp in an easterly direction, veered left, and its right wing clipped a parked Falcon 20's left wing, then continued and collided with the King Air C90.
The FO confirmed the PIC's account, adding that he also applied his toe brakes with no response and asked about steering; the PIC replied, "I've got nothing."
Brake System and Checklists
During the investigation, SC Aviation submitted two checklists: a Simuflite training checklist and the manufacturer's checklist, both identical for the BRAKE ACCU anomaly. The Abnormal QRH stated, "Residual pressure will normally allow at least six brake applications to first detent after MASTER + GONG with BRAKE ACCU lighting. No further pilot action required." The Normal Operations checklists for pre-flight and before start instructed that if the BRAKE ACCU light is on, the crew must charge the accumulator using the standby pump or by motoring Engine 2, and not remove chocks until the light is extinguished.
The Director of Operations for SC Aviation stated that the Abnormal QRH was intended for in-flight use only, a fact confirmed by CAE Simuflite instructors. Both pilots reported no recollection from training that it was an error to reference the Abnormal QRH for ground anomalies.
A CAE Simuflite lead instructor with 18 years of experience stated that during initial and recurrent training, all instructors emphasize that the Abnormal QRH is for in-flight anomalies only. Another instructor with 15 years of experience reiterated this, noting that the BRAKE ACCU anomaly is discussed in ground and simulator training.
Mechanical Findings
Under FAA supervision, the Falcon 2000's parking brake check valve (P/N L95H07-202, serial number 20667) was bench-tested and found to be leaking. Falcon Service Advisory 32-40-032-R01-A, dated November 19, 2009, had been issued for this check valve due to previous failures. An improved check valve (P/N L95H07-204) was available, but there was no record of its installation on N187AA.
A similar incident was reported by Dassault Aviation on August 11, 2014, at Calgary Airport, where a Falcon 2000LX experienced a parking brake failure after shutdown. The faulty check valve (P/N L95H07-202) was replaced with the same part number.