No fatalities

13 Aug 2016: PIPER PA 34 200T — ELI AIR CENTER INC. — Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States

On 13 Aug 2016, a PIPER PA 34 200T operated by ELI AIR CENTER INC. was involved in an aviation accident near Fort Lauderdale, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The other pilot's failure to ensure that the brake was fully engaged and his subsequent failure to notice that his airplane was rolling forward, which resulted in it hitting another airplane. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A parked airplane was struck by another airplane that rolled forward after engine start. The pilot of the moving airplane was distracted and believed the hand brake was engaged.

Event Description

On an unspecified date, two airplanes were involved in a ground collision at an airport. The first airplane was parked with its pilot and co-pilot inside. After re-entering the aircraft and engaging in conversation, the pilot felt the airplane shake and heard a loud noise. Looking out the right window, he observed an aircraft with its propeller hitting the right wing of his airplane.

Pilot Reports

The pilot of the parked airplane reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Substantial damage occurred to the right wing.

The pilot of the second airplane reported that, following engine start and before taxi for takeoff, he was focused on his navigation communications and did not notice his airplane rolling forward. He stated that he believed the hand brake was fully engaged. The airplane rolled forward and collided with the parked airplane. The pilot also reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures. The second airplane sustained minor damage.

Conclusion

Neither pilot reported any mechanical issues. The pilot of the moving airplane attributed the collision to his distraction and incorrect assumption about the hand brake.

Contributing factors

PilotNot used/operatedPilot of other aircraft