What happened
The accident occurred while a student pilot was taxiing an aircraft from a landing area toward a company ramp. At the same time, another pilot belonging to the same company was taxiing out of the ramp area. The student pilot reported that she attempted to maneuver her aircraft to the right side of the taxiway. During this maneuver, the right main landing gear of the aircraft traveled into a tie-down hole. This obstruction caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the right, resulting in a collision with a hangar.
The pilot of the other aircraft involved in the incident provided an additional perspective on the sequence of events. He stated that the taxi speed of the accident aircraft appeared to be slightly fast at the time of the maneuver. The combination of the excessive speed and the ground obstruction led to the loss of directional control and the subsequent impact with the hangar structure.
The investigation
Investigation findings focused on the physical evidence at the scene and the statements provided by the pilots involved. The primary mechanical finding was that the right main landing gear had traversed a tie-down hole, which acted as a trip point for the aircraft's movement. This interaction with the ground surface caused the aircraft to deviate from its intended path.
The investigation also considered the operational context of the taxiing maneuver. The presence of another aircraft taxiing out simultaneously created a complex environment on the ramp area. However, the direct cause of the collision was traced to the student pilot's inability to maintain control after the landing gear encountered the hole in the pavement.
Findings
The investigation identified several contributing factors to the accident. The student pilot's decision to taxi at a speed that was considered too fast for the conditions played a significant role. The maneuvering to the right brought the aircraft into contact with a ground hazard, specifically the tie-down hole. This contact resulted in the aircraft veering off the intended path and striking a fixed object.
The collision with the hangar was the direct result of the loss of directional control caused by the landing gear entering the hole. The speed of the aircraft at the time of the incident prevented the pilot from correcting the trajectory before impact. The presence of another taxiing aircraft in the vicinity highlights the need for heightened awareness during ramp operations, but the primary fault lay with the student pilot's control of the aircraft.
Safety message
Pilots must maintain careful control of their aircraft speed during taxiing, especially when maneuvering near ground obstacles such as tie-down holes. Awareness of the surrounding environment and the actions of other aircraft is essential to prevent collisions on the ramp.