Summary
On 23 February 2014, a Piper PA46T aircraft, registered as N37RT, was involved in an accident at Samedan Airport (LSZS) around 11:40 local time. The aircraft was being guided into a parking position when the pilot unintentionally increased engine power, causing the airplane to strike a snow bank.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a Piper PA46T, owned and operated by Manner Sensortelemetrie GmbH of Spaichingen, Germany. The pilot, a German citizen born in 1956, held a Private Pilot Licence (PPL(A)). He had accumulated 2,191 total flight hours, with 1,500 hours on the accident aircraft type, and 30 hours in the preceding 90 days.
Accident Details
The flight was a private Visual Flight Rules (VFR) operation. During the taxi phase at Samedan Airport, ground personnel were marshalling the aircraft into its parking spot. At that moment, the pilot inadvertently advanced the engine power. The aircraft then collided with a snow wall (snow bank).
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and the single passenger sustained either minor injuries or none. The aircraft's propeller was damaged; no third-party damage occurred.
Probable Cause
The Swiss Accident Investigation Service (SUST) stated that the accident occurred when the pilot inadvertently increased engine power while being marshalled into the parking position, resulting in a collision with a snow bank.