Aircraft wing strike by baggage tug during taxi

Casualties unknown • Albuquerque, NM, US

A baggage tug collided with the right wing of an aircraft while the pilot was taxiing toward parking after a night landing.

What happened

Following a night landing, the aircraft exited the runway and onto the taxiway. The pilot brought the airplane to a stop, retracted the flaps, turned off the landing light, and contacted ground control to request clearance to taxi to the parking area.

After receiving clearance, the pilot began taxiing toward the parking area with the taxi lights illuminated. As the aircraft approached an intersection on the taxiway, the pilot observed a vehicle stopped at the northbound stop sign to the left. The pilot noted no traffic was visible at the southbound stop sign to the right. As the airplane entered the intersection, a flash of light was observed to the right. A baggage tug, operating with only its right headlight illuminated, struck the right wing of the aircraft.

Findings

  • The collision occurred during the taxi phase of flight.
  • The baggage tug was operating with limited visibility, as only the right headlight was illuminated.

Probable cause

The collision was caused by a baggage tug entering the intersection with insufficient illumination, resulting in the driver failing to see the aircraft.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-03-14 Cessna 402C accident near Albuquerque, NM?

A baggage tug collided with the right wing of an aircraft while the pilot was taxiing toward parking after a night landing.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-03-14 involved a Cessna 402C, registration N596DM, operated by Aero Charter & Transport, at Albuquerque, NM.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was caused by a baggage tug entering the intersection with insufficient illumination, resulting in the driver failing to see the aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20020319X00364. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

Loading the flight search…