MIA03LA096

Factual narrative

On April 12, 2003, about 0920 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172S, N52903, registered to JMAX, LLC, and operated by FIT, LLC, collided with a parked airplane while taxiing at the Melbourne Regional Airport, Melbourne, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student reported no injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The student pilot stated that after receiving his taxi clearance, he released the parking brake and the airplane began to roll forward. He applied the airplane's brakes to perform a brake check but the brakes were ineffective. The airplane rolled forward and collided with a parked airplane. According to several witnesses, they heard the engine of the accident airplane operating at a high power setting before impacting the parked airplane, and also saw the airplane impact the parked airplane with a high rate of speed. Examination of the brake system by the operator with FAA oversight revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. The student pilot stated that after receiving his taxi clearance, he released the parking brake and the airplane began to roll forward. He applied the airplane's brakes to perform a brake check but the brakes were ineffective. The airplane rolled forward and collided with a parked airplane. According to several witnesses, they heard the airplane operating at a high power setting, before impacting a parked airplane at a high rate of speed. The airplane sustained structural damage aft of the firewall, damage to the firewall, and the engine mount. Examination of the brake system by the operator with FAA oversight revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12