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ERA10CA445

2010-08-26 · Tampa, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport VDF

Current FAA registration · N1321C

Make / Model
COLUMBIA AIRCRAFT MFG LC42-550FG
Year of manufacture
2006 · 4 years old at event
Engine
CONT MOTOR IO-550-N (310 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20061022
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0851D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to reduce engine power following a high-powered engine start.

Factual narrative

According to the pilot, following the preflight inspection, he entered the airplane, proceeded through the pre-engine start checklist, and set the parking brake. After several failed attempts to start the engine, the pilot increased the power lever setting before another start attempt. The engine subsequently started, and the airplane "abruptly launched forward," and "skidded through the parking [brake]" toward another airplane parked 150 feet directly ahead. The pilot immediately applied right rudder, which turned his airplane to the right; however the right wing struck the propeller and left wing of the parked airplane, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot subsequently exited his airplane uneventfully after it skidded to a stop. A witness reported hearing the airplane's engine start and described that it sounded as if the airplane was "ready to take off." A photograph revealed tire skid marks leading to and beyond the parked airplane. According to the pilot, he proceeded through the pre-engine start checklist and set the parking brake. After several failed attempts to start the engine, he increased the power lever setting before another start attempt. The engine subsequently started and the airplane abruptly lurched forward toward another airplane parked 150 feet directly ahead. The pilot immediately applied right rudder, which turned his airplane to the right; however, the right wing struck the parked airplane, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot exited the airplane uneventfully after it skidded to a stop. A witness reported hearing the airplane's engine start and described that it sounded as if the airplane was ready to take off. A photograph revealed tire skid marks leading to and beyond the parked airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Aircraft capability-Braking capability-Capability exceeded - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action selection-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_ERA10CA445.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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