What happened
On April 6, 2005, at 16:45, a Cessna 310 R operated by SEFA was positioned at the holding point for runway 13L at Montpellier Méditerranée Airport. The pilot, conducting an IFR flight to Aix-les-Milles, had aligned the aircraft with the runway following air traffic control instructions. To maintain the aircraft's position near the runway threshold, the pilot utilized the toe brakes.
While waiting for takeoff clearance, the pilot set the engines to a holding power of 1,000 RPM, as per operator recommendations. During this period, the pilot placed a navigation chart on his lap to review the intended departure route. While focused on the chart, the pilot failed to notice that the aircraft had begun a slow drift toward the left edge of the runway at an angle of approximately 30 degrees. Upon realizing the displacement, the pilot attempted to correct the aircraft's position by applying full right rudder without applying brakes or adjusting engine power. During this corrective maneuver, the left propeller struck a runway boundary marker, resulting in damage to the left propeller.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the movement of the aircraft and the functionality of the braking system. Investigators examined the aircraft's toe brakes and found no mechanical anomalies or malfunctions that would have prevented the pilot from stopping the aircraft. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's actions regarding the use of charts and the sequence of the corrective maneuver.