NTSB Factual Report

On January 1, 2005, about 1400 eastern standard time, a Beech G35, N333EG, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees while taxiing for takeoff at Falmouth Airpark (5B6), Falmouth, Massachusetts. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight, destined for Plymouth Municipal Airport (PYM), Plymouth, Massachusetts, was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was interviewed via telephone and submitted a written statement. He stated that he performed a preflight inspection of the airplane, then started the engine while parked on the apron adjacent to his hangar.

The pilot increased the throttle in order to start the airplane moving over snow that had accumulated on the apron and taxiway. He then reduced the throttle after the airplane began accelerating; however, the engine continued to run at a higher rpm. The pilot tried again to reduce the throttle, to no avail. The airplane continued to accelerate at a "higher than normal" rate across the taxiway.

The pilot then applied full right rudder pedal and right brake, but the airplane did not respond, and continued to slide on the snow. The airplane impacted a line of trees, on the opposite side of the taxiway, head-on.

Additionally, the pilot reported that after the accident he and a friend inspected the throttle and carburetor. He reported hearing a "snapping sound" and felt a "binding" of the throttle cable.

The pilot's hanger was located in a residential area of the Falmouth Airpark. Access to the runway was provided via a 50-foot wide grass taxiway that ran perpendicular to the apron immediately in front of the pilot's hangar. Examination of pictures taken by the pilot on the day of the accident revealed that the taxiway and the grass portion of the apron in front of the hanger, was covered with patches of snow.

The airplane was a 1956 Beech G35, and had accumulated 3,430 total flight hours at the time of the accident. The airplane's most recent annual inspection was performed on June 1, 2004, and the airplane had accumulated 64 flight hours since that date.

The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land, and a third class medical certificate. At the time of the accident he reported 796 hours of total flight experience, and 47 hours of flight experience in make and model.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane on January 10, 2005. The inspector found that the throttle was stiff, but he could only duplicate the snapping sound heard by the pilot once, and noted a very slight vibration within the throttle. The inspector also found that the throttle moved completely from the idle to the full power position with no obstruction or hindrance.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during taxi. A factor was the snow-covered taxiway.