What happened
On 3 March 2004, a Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II, registration G-EFIR, was involved in a ground accident at Leicester Airport. The pilot, intending to perform a local flight to maintain currency, began a pre-flight inspection and decided to refuel the aircraft. The aircraft was positioned parallel to the front of a hangar, with an open hangar door located a few feet from the left wing tip.
Following several attempts to start the engine, the aircraft began moving forward at a high rate of speed. During this rapid acceleration, the aircraft veered approximately 20 degrees to the left and collided with the far hangar door, roughly 15 metres from its initial position. The impact caused the propeller to penetrate the door, while the edge of the door struck the left wing, penetrating the leading edge structure as far as the main spar. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's braking system and found that the brakes, including the parking brake, were functioning correctly. The pilot reported that the event happened too quickly to allow for an effective reaction, though he did attempt to apply the brake pedals.
During the inquiry, the pilot noted that while he typically verifies the parking brake and seat security before starting the engine, he may have been less diligent in these checks because he only intended to taxi a short distance to the fuel pumps. It was noted that the pilot's ability to apply sufficient braking force might have been compromised by the movement of the seat during the incident.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced an unexpected and rapid forward movement during engine start-up.
- The unsecured seat or lack of thorough pre-start checks likely contributed to the pilot's inability to effectively use the brakes to stop the sudden movement.