No fatalities

13 May 2011: MOONEY M20J — Greenfield, IN

Greenfield, IN, United States

On 13 May 2011, a MOONEY M20J was involved in an aviation accident near Greenfield, IN. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a communications cart while taxiing. 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

After landing, a pilot taxied toward the ramp when a ground controller instructed another aircraft to hold short. The pilot moved right for clearance, and the right wingtip struck a remote communications cart belonging to the Blue Angels, causing substantial damage to the wing.

Incident Description

The pilot reported that during taxi to the ramp after landing, he heard ground controllers instruct another aircraft to hold short to allow his airplane to pass. In response, the pilot stated that he moved to the right to increase clearance between the other aircraft and his own. As he did so, the right wingtip of his airplane struck a remote communications cart that was positioned at the edge of the taxiway.

The remote communications cart was being used by the United States Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team, who were performing at an airshow at the airport.

Damage

The accident airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. Specifically, the outboard 2 to 3 feet of the leading edge of the right wing was crushed rearward, causing damage to the wing skin, ribs, and spar.

Aftermath

Following the accident, the remote communications cart was moved farther from the edge of the taxiway.

No other details were provided.

Contributing factors

Incorrect use/operationPilot