P&M Aviation LTD QUIKR accident near Gulf Shores, Alabama, May 22, 2014
On May 22, 2014 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 2009 P&M Aviation LTD QUIKR (weight-shift aircraft), registered N428PM, suffered minor damage in an accident during standing (engine(s) start-up) near Gulf Shores, Alabama (Jack Edwards airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 2014 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Gulf Shores, Alabama · Jack Edwards · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- P&M Aviation LTD QUIKR, built 2009
- Registration
- N428PM · registry record · serial 8428
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during standing (engine(s) start-up) defining event
- Loss of control on ground during standing (engine(s) start-up)
- Ground collision during standing (engine(s) start-up)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of manual › Pilot
- factor Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Airport structure › Compliance w/ procedure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Task environment › Physical workspace › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,737 hours in all; 72 in this make and model; 29 in the last 90 days; 26 in the last 30 days; 2,370 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 24, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 182 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 1, 2014; 182 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 990 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 182 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JKA Gulf Shores AL at 11:30 pm
- Destination: JKA Gulf Shores AL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 11:30 pm from JKA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.