Accident Overview
On February 24, 2015, at 0612 eastern standard time, a Cessna 208B, registration N989FX, was substantially damaged when its empennage contacted the ground during taxi operations at Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI), Baltimore, Maryland. The airline transport pilot was uninjured. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The on-demand cargo flight originated from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, New Jersey, and was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135.
Sequence of Events
The pilot landed the airplane on runway 33R without incident and exited onto taxiway J. Continuing southwest, the airplane transitioned onto taxiway AA. As the aircraft approached an intersection with a service road, a ground service vehicle approached from the right. The pilot applied the brakes and full reverse thrust, bringing the airplane to a stop. The vehicle passed in front of the airplane at an estimated distance of 2 to 3 feet; no collision occurred.
The pilot reported that the “hard” braking and reverse thrust application compressed the nose landing gear strut. A “spring effect” occurred when reverse thrust was rapidly removed, causing the airplane to pitch up and the empennage to strike the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot stated no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or failures existed.
The ground service vehicle operator stated he was en route to a security gate and reached down to retrieve an airport badge. Upon looking up, he observed the airplane and immediately applied brakes, stopping after crossing the taxiway.
Review of security camera footage corroborated the statements of both the pilot and vehicle operator. The camera showed the airplane taxiing with landing lights, taxi lights, strobe lights, and rotating beacon illuminated. The ground service vehicle’s headlights, taillights, running lights, and roof-mounted beacon were also on.
Weather and Lighting Conditions
At 0554, weather conditions at BWI included 10 statute miles visibility and scattered clouds at 22,000 feet. Civil twilight began at 0620, sunrise at 0647, and moonrise at 1024.
Regulatory Reference
Code of Maryland Regulations 11.03.01.04 K(1), titled “Yielding the Right-of-Way,” states: “Any person operating a motor vehicle on the air operations area shall yield the right-of-way to aircraft in motion or aircraft with engines running, ready to be put in motion.”