What happened
An aircraft was involved in an incident while preparing for departure during a purchaser demonstration flight. The event occurred as the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff. On board were two prospective buyers, a husband and wife team, along with a certified flight instructor (CFI). The wife occupied the left front seat, while the CFI sat in the right seat.
While the aircraft was executing a turn to taxi, it collided with a station wagon. The impact resulted in damage to the left wing main spar of the aircraft. The CFI later confirmed that the collision occurred during this maneuver.
The investigation
The primary focus of the examination was the structural integrity of the airframe following the ground contact. Inspections revealed that the left wing main spar sustained damage due to the impact with the stationary vehicle. No other mechanical failures were cited as contributing factors in the immediate narrative.
Findings
The incident highlights the risks associated with ground operations during demonstration flights, particularly when navigating around obstacles or vehicles on the ramp. The presence of prospective buyers in the cockpit did not mitigate the physical damage caused by the collision. The pilot was operating the aircraft at the time of the incident.