On April 1, 1996, a Douglas DC-6-B (registration N861TA) was involved in an aviation accident near Beluga, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance while maneuvering the airplane in a confined area, which resulted in the left wingtip striking a building support and subsequent damage to the empennage during reversal. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A DC-6 aircraft sustained significant structural damage to its left wingtip, elevator, stabilizer, and vertical fin after colliding with a building support and fuel tank while maneuvering in a tight parking area.
What happened
Following the completion of landing, the captain directed the aircraft toward the designated parking area with the intention of offloading its cargo of fuel. During the maneuvering process within the confined parking space, the left wingtip of the airplane made contact with a vertical steel support structure associated with a nearby building.
In an effort to correct the position and avoid further impact, the captain engaged reverse thrust to back the aircraft up. However, as the airplane reversed, the left elevator, horizontal stabilizer, and vertical fin struck a steel fuel tank that was being stored in close proximity to the parking area. The captain noted that the available space in the parking area is notably tight for an aircraft of this size.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance while maneuvering the airplane in a confined area, which resulted in the left wingtip striking a building support and subsequent damage to the empennage during reversal.
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