Plane crash reminds of need for parking brakes

Brooke Shields and Jim Belushi were involved in a minor plane crash last Friday, highlighting a key safety message for pilots and car drivers: be sure to set the parking brake, or place tire chocks. There were no injuries, though egos were likely bruised.

It turns out after the twin-engined Cessna light plane, ferrying the stars to a party at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, Calif., landed safely, the pilot reportedly forgot to essentially set the parking brake. The plane rolled into a nearby parked SUV, shearing off its mirror. It’s not every day you find planes crashing into cars--and everyone living.

Parking brakes, also called emergency brakes, are required by law to be installed on cars and work on a different system than the standard brake pedal. The emergency brake system ensures the car will have some stopping ability even if the hydraulic brakes fail. Usually the emergency brake is cable operated and works only on the rear wheels.

If you have to engage the emergency brake, in a panic situation, do so slowly, as a sudden yank in a turn could cause the car to spin. (Admittedly, some people do this for daredevil entertainment, but it is unsafe on public roads.) In case of an emergency, don’t hesitate to engage the e-brake if your hydraulic brake system fails, as the less-powerful parking brake will take much longer to stop the car.

As the pilot of Brooke Shield’s plane learned, setting the emergency brake when parking is also important. In cars with a manual transmission, it provides an important backstop if you forget to leave the car in gear, and when you step on the clutch to restart the car.

Even in cars with automatic transmissions, setting the parking brake can help prevent the car from rolling downhill and make it easier to get the car back out of Park after you restart it.

However, since they’re cable operated, parking brakes have a tendency to seize if left on for long periods of time or in wet or snowy conditions. In those cases, parking on a level surface or in a garage, and leaving the car in gear can minimize the need to set the parking brake.

Maybe if Ms. Shields had been driving her Volkswagen Routan, this wouldn’t have happened.

—Eric Evarts

Comments

[Art]

Actually, pilots are often told NOT to set their parking brakes. That is because planes are normally towed to a parking area after their passengers, etc. are unloaded near the entrance of the FBO (Fixed Base Operator). If the parking brake is set and the plane locked up (essential with present security concerns), then the plane cannot be towed. Instead, at least one wheel is supposed to have chocks wedged fore and aft to prevent it from rolling. Both the ground personnel and pilot should assure this has been done.

[Ryan Lewis]

In this article you are making the assumption that aircraft and automobiles are subject to the same requirements and practical needs. Obviously you did not research the standard equipment on this model of aircraft being flown that day. Most light general aviation aircraft are not equipped with secondary braking systems , nor are they likely to in the near future. While an aircraft is parked on the ground wheel chocks should always be used to keep the aircraft in place. I secondary braking system adds unnecessary weight and complexity that goes against reliability and simplicity.
Get your facts straight in the future. I have flown many aircraft types or the years.

[Kevin]

The small planes I fly have brakes that will sieze on far too often if used. All my instructors said never to engage them. Wheel Chocks now are another story.

[Chuckl]

I own and fly a Cessna 421B, the same make and model as the one involved in this story. The parking brake is almost never used. As the first respondent stated, airplanes are frequently towed on the ramp and when secured, cannot be towed without damage. It's also not a good idea to set the brakes after landing since the wheels and brake rotors are very hot and the pads will seize. Chocking and later, tie downs are the most common and safest way of securing aircraft.