What happened
On May 17, 2014, at approximately 10:30 local time, a Cessna 150, registered F-BSEP, was involved in a ground collision at the Calvi aerodrome. The aircraft was being operated for flight training purposes.
During the pre-flight sequence, the student pilot was tasked with performing the engine start. While executing the start procedures, the student pilot confused the throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat controls, inadvertently setting the throttle to full power. Upon engaging the starter, the aircraft began to taxi unexpectedly. The instructor, who was positioned outside the aircraft at the time, attempted to direct the student to apply the brakes, but the student was unable to stop the movement. The aircraft veered to the left and struck a parked Cessna 172, resulting in heavy damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the communication between the instructor and the student, as well as the execution of the cockpit checklists. The student pilot, who had only completed four hours of flight time, believed the instructor had instructed him to start the engine without the instructor being on board. The instructor, a highly experienced pilot with approximately 25,000 flight hours, stated that he had not requested the student to start the engine in his absence.
Investigators reviewed the applicable checklists, which required the pilot to set the brakes, set the mixture to rich, and set the carburetor heat to cold. The start checklist specifically required the pilot to advance the throttle by only 2 cm and to ensure the brakes were applied before engaging the starter. It was also noted that on this aircraft type, applying and then releasing the brake pedals deactivates the parking brake.
Findings
- A misunderstanding between the instructor and the student led the student to initiate the engine start while the instructor was outside the cockpit.
- The student pilot incorrectly positioned the throttle control to full power.
- The aircraft began an uncontrolled taxi due to the high power setting and the lack of effective braking.