# NTSB BFO94LA064: Piper PA-28-140, N5962U, Poughkeepsie, NY, April 12, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 12, 1994, 08:22 local (12:22 UTC) - Place: Poughkeepsie, NY - Location: 41.6266° N, 73.8842° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at HUDSON VALLEY RGNL (POU), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6266&lon=-73.8842&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 16, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 8908 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO94LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8908/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO94LA064 ## Probable cause THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE IMMEDIATELY AFTER ENGINE START, AND HIS DELAY IN REDUCING POWER AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - aircraft parked/standing - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot had just started the engine in order to taxi the airplane for refueling. He was preparing the airplane for the FAA Private Pilot Practical Examination. The airplane's engine raced immediately following engine start and the airplane began to move forward. The student pilot attempted to apply the brakes, but the airplane continued to move forward, striking the engine cowling of a parked Cessna 172 with its left wing tip, and the tail section of a parked Cessna 182 with its propeller. The student pilot then shut down the engine. Skid marks were found on the ramp adjacent to the airplane. No pre-impact mechanical deficiencies were found. ## Factual narrative On April 12, 1994, at 0822 hours eastern daylight time, N5962U, a Piper PA-28-140, operated by Mid Hudson Aviation Services, Milton, New York, was inadvertently taxied into two parked airplanes. The student pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. No one on the ground was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91. According to an FAA aviation safety inspector, the student pilot had just started the engine in order to taxi the airplane for refueling. He was preparing the airplane for the FAA Private Pilot Practical Examination. The airplane's engine "raced" and the "RPM was high" immediately following engine start. The student attempted to apply the brakes, but the airplane continued to move forward, striking the engine cowling of a parked Cessna 172 with its left wing tip. The airplane then spun around and struck the tail section of a parked Cessna 182 with its propeller. The student pilot then shut down the engine. Skid marks were found on the ramp adjacent to the airplane. No pre-impact mechanical deficiencies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5962U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5962U), registered now, S/N 28-26864, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-140 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28-26864 - Airframe hours: 4110 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Mid Hudson Aviation Services - Registered owner: Mid Hudson Aviation Services - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 1, 1994, 15 hours before - Departed: POU - Destination: POU, NY - Airport: POU, Dutchess County ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 132 total, 98 in this make and model, 33 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: POU ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19940412007799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940412007799A), Apr 12, 1994: Piper PA28140, Poughkeepsie, NY, Substantial damage. Private flight test. Started engine full throttle. Unable stop with brakes hit parked aircraft. Failed cut power. ## Other investigations on N5962U (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB NYC72DFA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC72DFA10), Aug 23, 1971: Piper PA-28 (N5962U), Hudson, NY, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.