Accident Overview
On 20 November 2009 at 1420 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-LACB, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a parked aircraft at Barton Aerodrome, Manchester. The aircraft was on a training flight with a solo student pilot as the sole occupant. The pilot was not injured.
Sequence of Events
The aircraft had been parked near the fuel pumps with the parking brake off. The student pilot, who had previously flown solo several times, decided to taxi the aircraft closer to the pumps before refueling. His instructor was not present. After starting the engine, the aircraft began to move forward. The pilot reported that due to his seating position, he could not apply the brakes. In an attempt to stop the aircraft, he depressed the left rudder pedal, causing the aircraft to turn left. The aircraft accelerated towards and collided with a parked aircraft, resulting in substantial damage to both aircraft.
Damage
The propeller and wing root of G-LACB were substantially damaged.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a 38-year-old student pilot with a total flying experience of 48 hours, of which 47 were on type. In the last 90 days, he had flown 4 hours, and in the last 28 days, 3 hours.
Aircraft Information
The Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II was manufactured in 1982 and powered by a single Lycoming O-320-D3G piston engine.