Serious incident to the Robin DR400 registered F-GYAC on 06/03/2024 at Nantes-Atlantique AD

Successive use of the starter, without actually starting up, caused the battery voltage to drop sharply. Normal starting using the starter thus became increasingly uncertain. The pilot decided to exit the aeroplane, without an appropriate checklist or any special procedures in this unusual situation.

Before getting out of the aeroplane to examine the propeller, the pilot did not fully apply the parking brake. Moreover, he did not remove the keys from the magneto selector. The throttle control was not in the idle position. The mixture control was in the “full rich” position.  

When the pilot rotated the propeller by hand and passed the compression point, the engine suddenly started and the aeroplane began to move forward.

The pilot first tried to stop the aeroplane, without success, then he managed, with difficulty, to climb onto the wing and use his hand to operate the rudder pedal to change the DR400’s trajectory and avoid collision with an A320 in the parking area. Finally, he managed to enter the aeroplane and regain control of it.