Aircraft Collision During Taxi at Unattended Airport

Casualties unknown • Naknek, AK, US

An aircraft collided with a stationary plane during taxiing operations at an uncontrolled airport due to poor visibility conditions.

What happened

Following a landing on the east/west runway of a rural, unattended airport, the pilot began back-taxiing toward an L-shaped ramp area. This ramp is situated between the approach ends of the east/west runway and a second northwest/southeast runway. The pilot's intention was to stop the aircraft near a school bus parked within the ramp area.

At the time of the incident, a second aircraft was positioned in the same ramp area, waiting to taxi toward a fuel pump. This second aircraft had its engine running at idle power. The pilot of the second aircraft stated he intended to remain stationary until the first aircraft had cleared the runway and did not plan to depart.

As the first aircraft taxied into the ramp area, the pilot failed to observe the second airplane. The pilot reported that flat light conditions made it difficult to identify the second aircraft, which featured a white and blue paint scheme. During the maneuver, the left wing of the taxiing aircraft struck the rotating propeller of the stationary aircraft. No injuries were reported.

Findings

The airport is described in the Alaska Airport/Facility Directory as an unattended facility where runway conditions are not monitored. The directory also notes that the facility experiences uncontrolled vehicular traffic on runways and lacks a clear line of sight between runways or waterways.

Probable cause

The collision was caused by the pilot's failure to see the stationary aircraft due to flat light conditions while taxiing in an uncontrolled ramp area.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1998-02-26 Piper PA-32-300 accident near Naknek, AK?

An aircraft collided with a stationary plane during taxiing operations at an uncontrolled airport due to poor visibility conditions.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1998-02-26 involved a Piper PA-32-300, registration N38186, at Naknek, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was caused by the pilot's failure to see the stationary aircraft due to flat light conditions while taxiing in an uncontrolled ramp area.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X09506. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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