What happened
On October 18, 2021, a Beech 200, registration N996LM, was taxiing for departure at Mount Pleasant Regional Airport – Faison Field (LRO) in South Carolina when the aircraft struck a parked fuel truck. The flight, operated by Austin Aviation as a Part 1lar 135 on-demand air taxi, was destined for Columbia Metro Airport (CAE).
During the taxi, the pilot observed a fuel truck parked on the ramp apron less than 20 feet from the centerline taxiway marking. The pilot assessed there was sufficient room to maneuver around the vehicle. However, as the pilot began a left turn, a single-engine airplane moved into the adjacent parking spot. To avoid contact with the running engine of the single-engine aircraft, which was approximately 6 feet from the left wingtip, the pilot shallowed the turn. This maneuver caused the right wingtip of the N996LM to contact a ladder handle on the fuel truck.
The impact caused the outboard 2-foot section of the wingtip to shear off at the rivet line. The damage also affected the aileron, which became loose from one of its three anchor points. There were no injuries to the two pilots and six passengers on board.
The investigation
An investigation by the FAA and review of security camera footage revealed that the aircraft traveled approximately 111.7 feet during the taxi before the collision. The maximum taxi speed was calculated at approximately 12.7 mph.
Video evidence confirmed that the single-engine aircraft had been parked for approximately 1 minute and 19 seconds before the Beech 200 began its taxi. The investigation also noted that the pilot had parked the aircraft between two designated parking spaces, with the wings and tail spanning multiple areas.
Personnel from the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) stated that the pilot had previously been instructed to park larger aircraft on the middle taxiway line to avoid ramp congestion. The investigation found that the pilot had frequently used tie-down spots reserved for smaller aircraft in the months preceding the accident. While the fuel truck was parked on a concrete access pad, no safety cones or marshaling assistance were present around the vehicle at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot failed to maintain adequate clearance from the parked fuel truck while taxiing through a congested ramp area.
- The pilot's decision to park the aircraft in a congested area and the use of excessive taxi speed contributed to the accident.