Incident Overview
On December 13, 2010, at 1230 Atlantic Standard Time, a Cessna 172S (registration N1348L) collided with a baggage cart while taxiing at Cyril E. King Airport (STT) in Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands. The airplane sustained substantial damage to its left wing. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured.
Flight Details
The aircraft was registered to Flight World Inc. and operated by Isla Grande Flying School and Service Corporation under Part 135 of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which had departed Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (TUPJ) in the British Virgin Islands at approximately 1200.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot, he had completed three legs delivering cargo to different islands. Before departing TUPJ, he received a phone call from the chief pilot, who stated that an international flight plan had been filed and that customs was expecting him at STT. After landing, while taxiing to the foreign arrivals customs area, the pilot became preoccupied with maintaining clearance from a jet that was running its engines on the ramp. He did not notice a white baggage cart parked on the ramp, and the airplane's left wing contacted the cart, resulting in substantial damage.
Aircraft Registration
The aircraft was identified by its registration number, N1348L.