Incident Overview
An airplane struck a parked car with its left wingtip while taxiing to its hangar following a flight. The collision occurred in the non-movement area of the airport, away from active runways and taxiways. According to the airport manager, the car was positioned as far to the side as possible and did not encroach on the taxiway, with approximately 300 feet of clearance available for the airplane to pass safely.
Sequence of Events
The car was stopped on the side of a taxi lane, a route commonly used by vehicles. As the first two airplanes taxied past, they cleared the car without incident. When the third airplane (the accident airplane) passed, its left wingtip struck the windshield of the car. The driver reported that he had stopped his vehicle while all three airplanes were taxiing, having used the taxi lane for vehicle traffic.
Pilot's Observation
The pilot stated that he was unable to accurately judge the distance between the airplane's wingtip and the car due to sun glare reflecting off the car's windshield. No other contributing factors were identified in the report.
Aircraft and Damage
The specific aircraft type, registration, and engine count were not disclosed in the source. Damage was limited to the airplane's left wingtip and the car's windshield. No injuries were reported among the pilot, occupants, or the driver.
Environmental Conditions
The accident occurred during daytime, with bright sunlight creating glare from the car's windshield, which the pilot noted as impairing his depth perception. The weather was otherwise unremarkable, with no mention of precipitation or visibility restrictions.
Operational Context
The incident took place in the non-movement area, where air traffic control does not ordinarily provide guidance. The airport manager confirmed that the car was legally parked and not obstructing the taxi lane. The driver had stopped to allow the airplanes to pass, as is common practice in shared-use areas.