Flight Sequence
On June 19, 2021, at approximately 11:30 UTC, a Piper PA-11, registration LV-YQF, operated by Aeroclub Río de La Plata, was being prepared for a general aviation training flight at Ezpeleta Aerodrome in Buenos Aires province. The pilot initiated the engine start with the assistance of another person. After start, the aircraft began taxiing toward runway 15. At the holding point, the engine lost power and stopped.
Pilot Actions
The pilot exited the aircraft to perform a restart. This was his first solo engine start, as he had not practiced the procedure during his training. Before attempting the restart, he placed wooden chocks on one main landing gear wheel to prevent movement. The flight manual requires chocks to be used but specifies no dimensions or type. The manual also states that the throttle should be opened to approximately 1/10 of its travel for starting.
When the engine started, the aircraft overcame the chocks and began rolling. The pilot was unable to reboard. The aircraft rolled across the runway, through the perimeter fence, and into a ditch, coming to rest there. The damage was classified as significant.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft revealed that the throttle control functioned correctly and was found at approximately 1/3 of its maximum travel after the accident. The flight manual specifies a throttle opening of about 1/10 for start. The pilot, aged 21, held a Private Pilot License (PPA) obtained in March 2021 and had accumulated 9.3 total flight hours since then. His medical certificate was valid until March 31, 2024. No regulatory documentation from the National Civil Aviation Administration (ANAC) specifies technical requirements for chocks used in aviation.
At the time of the accident, the aeroclub was in the process of adapting to Argentine Civil Aviation Regulations (RAAC).