Incident Overview

Date: Monday 12 January 2004
Aircraft Type: Cessna 550 Citation II
Owner/operator: Dynamic Air
Registration Number: PH-DYN
Location: Rotterdam Airport (RTM/EHRD) – ÿ Netherlands
Phase of Flight: Taxi
Status: Substantial
Casualties: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 8
Component Affected: Left wheel braking system.Left wheel braking system.
Investigating Agency: Dutch Safety BoardDutch Safety Board
Category: Accident
An aircraft experienced a collision with a hangar during taxiing to runway 24. The turn became insufficient, leading to a nose-wheel steering maneuver that resulted in the aircraft pivoting and impacting the hangar door. The crew applied excessive brake pressure to compensate, but this did not prevent the collision. The incident was characterized by reduced traction due to a wet surface and tight turn, increasing the risk of wheel locking up. The lack of emergency braking system activation is a concern, and the Dutch Safety Board recommends testing of brakes before taxiing.An aircraft experienced a collision with a hangar during taxiing to runway 24. The turn became insufficient, leading to a nose-wheel steering maneuver that resulted in the aircraft pivoting and impacting the hangar door. The crew applied excessive brake pressure to compensate, but this did not prevent the collision. The incident was characterized by reduced traction due to a wet surface and tight turn, increasing the risk of wheel locking up. The lack of emergency braking system activation is a concern, and the Dutch Safety Board recommends testing of brakes before taxiing.

Description

As the aircraft was taxiing to runway 24, its right wing tip collided with the corner of a hangar. This caused the aircraft to pivot so that it’s nose went through the hangar door before it came to a stop. The crew reported that as they were making a left turn, nose-wheel steering became insufficient as the turn tightened. To compensate, a small amount of brake pressure was was applied on the left wheel. The captain felt that this amount of braking was inadequate, so maximum brake pressure was applied on the left wheel. This had no effect, resulting in the collision with the hangar. The emergency braking system was not used. Of the two crew and six passengers, three of the passengers reported neck problems. Upon investigation, no defects were found in the braking system, and it is unknown whether the antilock braking system activated during the event. According to the aircraft manufacturer, it is possible that the degraded turn performance was a result of the left wheel locking up. The surface was wet from rainfall, and the tight left turn would reduce weight on the left wheel. Both of these factors decrease traction, increasing the likelihood of the left wheel locking up. Although it was not determined if the brakes were tested before commencing the taxi, the Dutch Safety Board reccomended that testing of the brakes always be carried out before taxiing. This gives an earlier opportunity for the crew to activate the emergency braking system.

Primary Cause

Degraded turn performance due to left wheel locking up.Degraded turn performance due to left wheel locking up.

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