History of the Flight
On 3 March 2004 at approximately 1230 UTC, a Piper PA-28-181 Cherokee Archer II (registration G-EFIR) was being prepared for a local flight at Leicester Airport. The pilot, the sole occupant, intended to maintain currency on the aircraft type. During the pre-flight check, the pilot noted that the fuel level was below half and decided to refuel. After completing the inspection and strapping in, the pilot prepared to taxi from a position parallel to the hangar, with one hangar door open a few feet from the left wing tip. The aircraft was about 50 to 60 metres from the fuel pumps.
After several attempts to start the engine, it started and the aircraft immediately began to move forward rapidly, turning approximately 20 degrees to the left. It struck the far hangar door, located about 15 metres from the starting point. The propeller penetrated the door surface, and the edge of the door penetrated the left wing at mid-span, passing through the leading edge structure to the main spar.
Aircraft Damage
The propeller sustained damage from penetrating the hangar door. The left wing was penetrated by the edge of the hangar door, with structural damage to the leading edge and main spar.
Pilot's Observations
The pilot reported that the event occurred very quickly, taking him by surprise. He stated that he attempted to push on the brake pedals but was unable to stop the aircraft in time. The pilot noted that his normal practice was to check the parking brake and seat security before engine start, but because his intention was only to taxi to the fuel pumps, he may not have been as thorough. He suggested that the difficulty in applying sufficient brake pressure might have been partly due to seat movement.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination confirmed that the brake system, including the parking brake, was functioning correctly.
Comments from the Senior Flying Instructor
The senior flying instructor who reported the accident to the AAIB commented that the aircraft's rapid forward movement would have required at least 2,000 RPM from the engine. He emphasized that the same precautions should be observed regardless of the purpose of starting and taxiing, including ensuring the parking brake is securely set, physically checking the seat and harness security, and being positioned to immediately reduce engine speed to idle after start.