What happened
On Thursday, August 29, 2002, at 15:30, a Robin DR 400-140 B, registration F-BUPT, was involved in a ground collision at Quimper Aerodrome. The aircraft was being operated for a local flight by a crew of three. Prior to the incident, the pilot had moved the aircraft to a refueling station using a tow bar and subsequently returned it to its original parking position.
Following engine start, the aircraft began to taxi forward. The pilot attempted to use the brake handle multiple times, but the aircraft continued to move. Despite instinctive attempts to use the rudder pedals to stop the motion and reducing the engine to idle power, the aircraft continued to roll at a low speed toward another aircraft parked approximately twenty meters away. While the pilot managed to avoid a direct head-on collision by maneuvering with the rudder pedals, the propeller of the F-B0UPT struck and damaged the left wing of the stationary aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the braking system of the F-BUPT and the pilot's pre-flight procedures. It was noted that the pilot had operated a different DR 400 model during his two most recent flights, which featured brakes controlled via the rudder pedals. In contrast, the braking system on the F-BUPT is operated via a manual lever that also serves as the parking brake. Ground tests conducted during the investigation confirmed that the braking system on the aircraft was functioning correctly.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was insufficient checks performed before engine start.
- The pilot's reliance on the braking mechanics of a different aircraft type contributed to the error.
- There were no injuries reported among the three occupants of the aircraft.