Piper PA-28-161 N47749 and Piper PA-28-161 N602FT accident near Melbourne, Florida

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to set the parking brake and to maintain a proper visual lookout, which resulted in an on-ground collision with another airplane.

The failure of the pilot of another airplane to set the parking brake and to maintain a proper visual lookout, which resulted in an on-ground collision.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of N602FT reported that, while holding short of the runway waiting for departure, he noticed another airplane stop behind his airplane. A few seconds later, the airplane was struck from behind by N47749. N602FT's position, landing, and strobe lights were illuminated when the accident occurred.

The pilot of N47749 reported that he was number three for departure behind N602FT. While the pilot was looking at the tachometer, the airplane slowly moved forward, struck N602FT, and severed the outer 2 feet of the left outboard portion of N602FT's horizontal stabilator. The pilot realized after the collision that he had not set the parking brake. He thought that his feet were on the brake pedals but that he did not put "much pressure" on them before the crash. Postaccident examination of N47749's brake system did not reveal evidence of any preimpact failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. When actuated, both the toe brakes and the parking brake were functional.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA12LA355 for the full record.