Aircraft wing severed by fuel tanker truck during taxi

Casualties unknown • Los Angeles, CA, US

A Saudi Aerospace SA227 sustained significant damage to its left wing after colliding with an eastbound fuel tanker truck at an airport intersection.

What happened

A Saudi Aerospace SA2DO27 had landed and was proceeding northbound on the taxiway toward the gate. During this taxi phase, the aircraft's taxi, landing, recognition, and strobe lights were turned off.

As the aircraft moved toward its destination, an eastbound fuel tanker truck approached the intersection of the taxiway and the vehicle service road. The driver of the tanker truck failed to stop at a posted 'STOP FOR ACFT' sign. This failure resulted in the tanker truck colliding with the aircraft, which partially severed the left wing.

Findings

The driver of the fuel tanker truck stated that the aircraft was not visible until it was directly in front of the vehicle, at which point stopping was no longer possible. An examination of the driver's visibility revealed that the view between the 1:30 and 2:00 positions was partially obstructed by the structure of the truck. Furthermore, the view between the 2:00 and 3:00 positions was considerably restricted by the truck's cage structure and the equipment stored within it.

Airport regulations specify that 'low silhouette' aircraft are required to taxi with landing lights illuminated until they have cleared all taxiways and intersecting vehicle access roads.

Probable cause

The driver of an eastbound fuel tanker truck failed to obey a posted stop sign at the intersection of a vehicle service road and a taxiway, resulting in a collision with a taxiing aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-01-18 Fairchild SA227AC accident near Los Angeles, CA?

A Saudi Aerospace SA227 sustained significant damage to its left wing after colliding with an eastbound fuel tanker truck at an airport intersection.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-01-18 involved a Fairchild SA227AC, registration N26895, operated by Skywest Airlines, at Los Angeles, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The driver of an eastbound fuel tanker truck failed to obey a posted stop sign at the intersection of a vehicle service road and a taxiway, resulting in a collision with a taxiing aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001213X27600. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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