No fatalities

15 Sep 2010: MOONEY M20J NO SERIES — Hazard, KY

Hazard, KY, United States

On 15 Sep 2010, a MOONEY M20J NO SERIES was involved in an aviation accident near Hazard, KY. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a fuel pump while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s diverted attention. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During taxi after landing, a pilot sneezed twice while opening the cabin door, causing the airplane to drift and strike a fuel pump, resulting in substantial wing damage.

Overview

A pilot reported that after landing and taxiing toward the parking ramp, the self-serve fuel pump was 'clearly visible' on the right side of the airplane. As the airplane neared the pump, the pilot reached over to open the cabin door and sneezed twice. The airplane subsequently 'drifted right,' causing the right wing to impact the fuel pump, resulting in substantial damage to the wing.

Witness Observations

Two witnesses who observed the incident stated that the airplane was taxiing 'fast' and 'quickly,' respectively. Review of security camera footage confirmed that there were no obstructions in the immediate vicinity of the fuel pump.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane.

Contributing factors

Causes

Pilot

Other contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintained