April 11, Redding, Calif. / Cessna 177RG and Piper Aztec

At about 1030 Pacific time, a Cessna 177RG collided with a parked Piper PA-23-250 prior to taxing for takeoff at Redding Municipal Airport. The pilot of the Cessna was not injured and the Piper was unoccupied. The pilot told investigators he was a CFI student and was preparing to practice flying from the right seat. During the starting sequence, the pilot inadvertently set the throttle at a quarter inch from full throttle instead of at a quarter inch from idle. When the engine started, the pilot was not able to stop the airplane. The right wing of the Cessna passed over the left wing of the Piper and struck the propeller.