Taxiing Collision Involving Two Piper PA-32 Aircraft

Casualties unknown • Bethel, AK, US

Two Piper PA-32 aircraft collided on an airport ramp during taxi operations involving obstructed visibility caused by a fuel truck.

What happened

On the airport ramp, two aircraft were involved in a collision while taxiing near adjacent loading areas. The first aircraft, a Piper PA-32 registered N76RL, was being prepared for a cargo flight. During this process, a fuel truck was parked in front of the aircraft to provide refueling services, which obstructed the pilot's view of the surrounding ramp area.

After the fuel truck moved away, the pilot started the engine and applied power to begin taxiing from the parking spot. The pilot reported that the high nose angle of the aircraft prevented him from seeing other airplanes on the ramp. Simultaneously, a second Piper PA-32, registered N31657, was taxiing from the landing area toward a parking spot adjacent to the first aircraft. The pilot of N31657 also had his view obstructed by the position of the fuel truck.

As the second aircraft approached its parking spot, the pilot initiated a right turn. At that moment, the fuel truck cleared the area, revealing the first aircraft as it moved out of its parking spot. Although the pilot of N31657 attempted to tighten the right turn to avoid the collision, the propeller of N76RL struck the leading edge of the left wing of N31657. The collision resulted in minor damage to N76RL and substantial damage to N31657, with no injuries reported.

Probable cause

The collision was caused by the pilots' inability to see each other due to visual obstructions created by a fuel truck and the high nose angle of the departing aircraft.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2002-10-22 Piper PA-32 accident near Bethel, AK?

Two Piper PA-32 aircraft collided on an airport ramp during taxi operations involving obstructed visibility caused by a fuel truck.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2002-10-22 involved a Piper PA-32, registration N76RL, at Bethel, AK.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was caused by the pilots' inability to see each other due to visual obstructions created by a fuel truck and the high nose angle of the departing aircraft.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20021025X05384. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.

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