Incident Overview
Date: Thursday 3 March 1994
Aircraft Type: Beechcraft 200 Super King Air
Owner/operator: Skywest Aviation
Registration Number: VH-WNH
Location: Alice Springs Airport, NT (ASP) –
ÿ Australia
Phase of Flight: Taxi
Status: Substantial, repaired
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants:
Component Affected: Aircraft WingtipAircraft Wingtip
Investigating Agency: BASIBASI
Category: Accident
The pilot taxied his aircraft towards his parking area, noticing a refueling tanker parked adjacent to the refueling installation. Despite being on the centreline, the pilot realized the left wingtip wouldn’t clear the tanker, resulting in a collision.The pilot taxied his aircraft towards his parking area, noticing a refueling tanker parked adjacent to the refueling installation. Despite being on the centreline, the pilot realized the left wingtip wouldn’t clear the tanker, resulting in a collision.
Description
As the pilot taxied his aircraft towards his normal parking place on the G.A. apron he was aware of an aircraft to his right parked next to the refuelling installation, and a refuelling tanker parked on the apron to his left. It is common to have tankers on the apron, although this tanker was parked further away than normal from the aircraft it was servicing. The pilot was concentrating on ensuring clearance from the parked aircraft to his right, and experienced sun glare when looking towards the tanker. Although the aircraft was taxiing on the centreline of the taxiway, the pilot realised too late that the left wingtip would not clear the tanker, and was unable to prevent a collision which damaged the wingtip and aileron.
Primary Cause
Insufficient clearance from the parked aircraft to the left wingtip.Insufficient clearance from the parked aircraft to the left wingtip.Share on:
