P&M QUIKR N428PM

Summary

On 22 May 2014 at about 23:30 local time, a P&M QUIKR registered N428PM, operated by Wendelburg Kevin R, was involved in an accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

22 May 2014 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States

Nearest airport

Jack Edwards (JKA)

Coordinates

30.2858, -87.6756

Aircraft

P&M QUIKR

Registration

N428PM

Year built

2009

Engines

1

Operator

Wendelburg Kevin R

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Gulf Shores → Gulf Shores

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA14LA257

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during engine startup, which resulted in a collision with a parked airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow engine startup procedures and a sudden surge of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted to start the weight-shift-aircraft's engine in an area surrounded by hangars. After about eight attempts to start the engine, it finally engaged and immediately advanced to takeoff power. The aircraft then collided with a parked airplane about 150 ft from its original starting position, spun right, impacted a hangar door, and came to rest. Postaccident examination of the throttle system revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Although two throttle cable snag hazards were identified that could have resulted in a stuck throttle, it could not be determined if either possible hazard caused the throttle to become stuck in the open position. According to the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH), the aircraft should have been pointing away from people, vehicles, or buildings during startup. The POH also stated that, if the engine does not start after five or six attempts, the pilot should switch the ignition off and investigate the cause of the problem.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.