Aircraft and Prelude
On 6 June 2010, at approximately 1100 UTC, a Cessna 150M, registration G-BPAX (year of manufacture 1975, equipped with a Continental Motors Corp O-200-A piston engine), was parked on a grass area adjacent to the main terminal building at Shoreham Airport, West Sussex. Ahead of G-BPAX and on an adjacent hardstanding area to its left were several parked aircraft, including a Diamond DA 40 D Diamond Star, registration G-CDEK (year of manufacture 2004, fitted with a Thielert TAE 125-02-99 piston engine). The pilot of G-BPAX, aged 64 and holding a Private Pilot’s Licence with 325 hours total flying experience (291 hours on type), planned a local flight.
Engine Start and Uncontrolled Movement
After completing the external pre-flight inspection, the pilot entered the cockpit and set the engine mixture to fully rich and the throttle to just above the idle position. Upon starting the engine, the engine speed immediately increased to its maximum of about 2,500 rpm. The aircraft then moved forward and veered to the left, with the nosewheel lifting from the ground. The pilot attempted to stop the aircraft using the brakes and to steer away from the other aircraft, but was unable to prevent it from colliding with G-CDEK. G-BPAX travelled approximately 90 ft from its parking position before the collision.
Collision and Aftermath
On impact, the engine stalled and the aircraft came to a stop. The pilot, who was uninjured, vacated the aircraft through the cockpit door. During the collision, the tail section of G-CDEK was severed, and G-BPAX sustained damage to its propeller, spinner, right wing root and leading edge. The rear tiedown of G-BPAX was also torn from the aircraft. The pilot stated that he had removed the tiedown ropes during the pre-flight inspection and that the damage to the rear of the aircraft was a result of the tail striking the ground.
Investigation
Following the accident, an engineer inspected the braking system and confirmed it was serviceable. The pilot was unsure of the reason for the accident.
Damage Summary
- G-BPAX: Propeller and nose cone bent, rear tiedown torn off, right wing leading edge punctured, fuselage creased near wing root.
- G-CDEK: Tail section severed.