History of Flight
On March 22, 2009, at 1905 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 200, registration N257NA, collided with a tree while taxiing after landing at Henderson Executive Airport (HND), Henderson, Nevada. Southern Nevada Jet Charter operated the airplane as an on-demand air taxi flight under 14 CFR Part 135. The airline transport pilot and copilot, along with two passengers, were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The flight departed Napa County Airport (APC), Napa, California, around 1700. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan had been filed.
The pilot reported landing on runway 35 left and taxiing toward the operator's hangar on the west side of the airport. As the airplane neared the ramp, the pilot observed a tug positioned in front of the hangar. He chose to turn the airplane directly toward the tug instead of the usual deplaning area. After turning, the right wing impacted a tree located at the southeast corner of the hangar. The pilot stated he was familiar with the ramp area and had prior experience taxiing there.
The copilot reported that as the airplane approached the hangar, he saw the tug about 10 feet laterally from the hangar door. He expected the pilot to park in the deplaning area, so he looked down to complete his postflight checklist. He then felt the airplane jolt and realized they had struck a tree. Both crew members reported that light conditions were approaching dusk and that the hangar and tug lights were on.
Personnel Information
The 45-year-old pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land. He also held a certified flight instructor certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, multiengine land, and instrument airplane. He held a first-class medical certificate with no limitations or waivers, and reported 6,700 total flight hours, including 200 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
The 62-year-old copilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with ratings for airplane multiengine land. He held a first-class medical certificate with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses, and reported 17,850 total flight hours, including 200 hours in the accident airplane make and model.
Meteorological Information
The closest aviation weather observation station was at the accident airport. A routine aviation weather report issued at 1856 reported clear skies and 10 miles visibility. According to the U.S. Naval Observatory, sunset at Henderson occurred at 1854, with civil twilight ending at 1919.
Additional Information
The entrance to the hangar ramp area was approximately 190 feet wide. The wingspan of the accident airplane was 54 feet 6 inches.