What happened
On 18 July 2002, a Reims Aviation SA Cessna F150L, registration G-HFCB, was involved in an incident at Elmslett Airfield, Suffolk, during a training flight preparation. The pilot, who was preparing to undertake a flight with an instructor to renew single-engine licence privileges, was performing pre-flight duties using the flying club's checklist.
While following the 'before engine start' procedure, the pilot started the engine but inadvertently set the throttle to a position that was too high. Crucially, the handbrake had not been applied, and the pilot's seat was positioned such that their feet could not reach the toe-brakes, despite making contact with the rudder pedals.
Upon engine start, the aircraft accelerated forward rapidly. Although the pilot managed to close the throttle, the lack of braking capability caused the aircraft to travel approximately 50 metres. The movement ended when the nosewheel entered a drainage ditch. The pilot subsequently shut down the engine and exited the aircraft. There were no injuries to the crew, though the aircraft sustained damage to the wing tip, potential spar damage, and a shockloaded engine.
The investigation
The investigation, prompted by the pilot's accident report, focused on the sequence of events leading to the uncontrolled movement. Investigators examined the cockpit configuration and the pilot's ability to control the aircraft during the start sequence. It was established that the pilot's seat position prevented effective use of the toe-brakes. Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the flying club's C-150 checklist, which specifically included instructions to apply the handbrake and adjust the seat position prior to starting the engine.