No fatalities

5 Mar 2013: ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-C — MALLARD WILLIAM C — Newnan, GA

Newnan, GA, United States

On 5 Mar 2013, an ENGINEERING & RESEARCH ERCOUPE 415-C operated by MALLARD WILLIAM C was involved in an aviation accident near Newnan, GA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot misjudged the space needed to safely execute the 180-degree turn. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 13 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A pilot struck a parked airplane with his aircraft's right wing tip while attempting a 180-degree turn in a tie-down area, resulting in substantial damage to the right wing.

Accident Details

According to the pilot, after landing he taxied the airplane to the general aviation tie-down area on the airport. He stated that he normally taxis the airplane through the open space between the second and third tie-down rows on the ramp. Upon arrival, his normal tie-down space was occupied. He then initiated a 180-degree turn to exit the row and proceed to an alternate tie-down location. During the turn, the pilot reported misjudging the space needed to safely execute the maneuver, and the right wing tip of his airplane struck a parked airplane.

Damage

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the aircraft and found substantial damage to the right wing trailing edge section main spar attachment point. Additionally, the right wing flap was buckled and the right wing tip was damaged. The pilot did not report any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Statement

The pilot indicated that the incident occurred during daylight hours (time not specified) and that no other personnel were involved. He stated that the maneuver was his typical method for exiting the tie-down row, but on this occasion the occupied space forced an alternative path, leading to the miscalculation.

Probable cause

The pilot misjudged the space needed to safely execute the 180-degree turn.

Contributing factors

Pilot