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ERA12CA173

2012-02-07 · Winter Haven, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport GIF

N701CF has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (PILATUS PC-12/45, built 2005), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The flight instructor’s delayed remedial action to prevent the airplane from hitting the hangar door. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's misuse of the airplane's throttle, and his incorrect use of the wheel brakes.

Factual narrative

The non-certificated student pilot reported that, while taxiing to the runway and adjusting the throttle, the engine spooled up and the taxi speed increased. He retarded the throttle and attempted to apply toe brakes. The airplane was equipped with a hand brake instead of toe brakes. The certified flight instructor (CFI) reported that the airplane moved toward a hangar at a "rapid speed" as he tried to slow the airplane. The airplane collided with a hangar door, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The CFI stated that the time from loss of control to the collision with the hangar was about two to three seconds. The CFI had 1.9 hours of experience in the accident airplane. The pilots reported that there were no anomalies or malfunctions with the airplane during the accident sequence. The student pilot reported that, while taxiing to the runway and adjusting the throttle, the engine spooled up and the taxi speed increased. He retarded the throttle and attempted to apply toe brakes, but the airplane was equipped with a hand brake instead of toe brakes. The flight instructor reported that the airplane moved toward a hangar at a "rapid speed" as he tried to slow the airplane. The airplane collided with a hangar door, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The instructor stated that the time from loss of control to the collision with the hangar was about 2 to 3 seconds. The instructor had 1.9 hours of experience in the accident airplane. The pilots reported that there were no anomalies or malfunctions with the airplane during the accident sequence. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Lack of action-Instructor/check pilot - C
  • F Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine controls-Power lever-Incorrect use/operation - F
  • F Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Surface speed/braking-Incorrect use/operation - F
  • F Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Student pilot - F

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_ERA12CA173.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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Related research

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