History of the Flight
On 20 February 2021, a student-pilot arrived at the flying club for an instruction flight. After checking the aircraft's logbook, the instructor asked him to start the engine on his own. The student performed the pre-flight inspection, entered the cockpit, and carried out the before-start actions, followed by engine start procedures. When he started the engine, the aircraft began to move forward. The student pressed the left pedal to avoid an aircraft parked in front, causing the Robin to turn left and hit two cars parked nearby before coming to a stop.
Additional Information
Aircraft Information
The aircraft involved, F-GEKT, was a Robin DR400-120. It was not equipped with foot brakes but had a brake handle. The handle had two positions: vertical for parking brake (with notches to prevent slipping) and horizontal for braking during taxi and landing. A white spot on the handle indicated correct parking brake engagement.
Student-Pilot Information
The 59-year-old student-pilot began training in late 2019. At the time of the event, he had logged approximately 20 flight hours, including 19 hours dual and 36 minutes solo. His last flight, a dual session, was on 12 February 2021. He stated that he performed before-start actions using the checklist but did not call out the steps and did not verify the parking brake position. He could not explain why he omitted this check.
When the aircraft moved forward after start, he was surprised. With another aircraft ahead, he pressed the left pedal. Under stress, he did not reduce power or locate the parking brake. He believed the brake handle was hidden by his right leg due to his build. The student noted that the instructor had previously asked him to start the engine alone while waiting.
Aerodrome Information
Lens-Bénifontaine aerodrome is open to public air traffic. A public car park about 500 m from the flying club hangar is available, but there is no airside car parking. At the time, vehicles were parked near hangars, including in front of other hangars. Two damaged vehicles were not on the list of authorized airside vehicles; the training manager owned one of them.
Witness Statements
The instructor, with about 15,000 flight hours, had instructed 65 hours in the prior three months. He briefed the student on weather and planned circuits, potentially leading to a solo flight. After being called to handle a fuel supply issue, he asked the student to start the engine alone to save time. The instructor estimated the student may have started with slightly excessive power and noted the student's build could obscure the brake handle.
A witness, a club pilot, stated that after the previous flight, two club members manually moved F-GEKT because it was parked too close to another aircraft. They released the brake handle and likely forgot to reapply it. He added that the access road to the hangars is forbidden to unauthorized persons, but no system prevents vehicle entry, and some owners drive in without authorization.
Conclusions
The instructor asked the student to start the engine alone. Before start, the student did not check the parking brake. Upon engine start, the aircraft moved forward. Surprised and stressed, the student did not brake or reduce power. He turned left to avoid an aircraft but could not avoid the parked vehicles. Contributing factors included the habit of some users parking vehicles near hangars and the lack of a system preventing unauthorized vehicle entry to the airside.