What happened
On 20 November 2009, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-LACB, was involved in a ground collision at Barton Aerodrome, Manchester. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot during a training flight.
Prior to refuelling, the student pilot intended to move the aircraft closer to the fuel pumps. The pilot started the engine and began to taxi the aircraft forward. During this movement, the pilot attempted to use the left rudder pedal to steer the aircraft. However, due to the pilot's seating position, the parking brake could not be applied. As the pilot depressed the rudder pedal to stop the movement, the aircraft turned sharply to the left. This maneuver caused the aircraft to accelerate into a parked aircraft, resulting in substantial damage to the propeller and wing root of G-LACB, as well as damage to the other aircraft involved.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The inquiry established that the student pilot was performing solo flight maneuvers and that an instructor was not present at the time of the incident. The investigation focused on the mechanical and operational circumstances during the taxiing phase, specifically the pilot's inability to engage the parking brake and the subsequent steering inputs.