What happened
On 31 December 2014, a Beech 200 Super Kingair, registration G-KVIP, was involved in a ground collision at Newquay Airport. The aircraft, which had arrived on an air ambulance mission, was preparing for a repositioning flight to Exeter. Following refueling at Stand 23 on the Alpha Apron, the pilot began taxiing toward the A2 holding point.
During a 90-degree right turn, the crew heard a loud bang and felt a vibration. While the passenger initially suspected shifting cargo, Air Traffic Control later alerted the pilot that an object might have been struck. Upon returning to the parking stand, the pilot identified damage to the right propeller, the right side of the aircraft nose, and the right main landing gear door. The aircraft had struck a panel from a mobile airfield barrier system (MABS) located between stands 22 and 23.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the visibility of the MABS and the positioning of ground equipment. It was noted that the MABS was not illuminated and was positioned in an area where no marshaller guidance was required for taxiing out. The investigation also examined the pilot's pre-flight activities, noting that the pilot had performed an external inspection while a refueling bowser was still positioned in front of the aircraft.
Findings
- The right propeller struck a panel from the MABS, causing the panel to detach and resulting in damage to the aircraft nose and landing gear door.
- The position of the refueling bowser likely prevented the pilot from noticing the MABS during the external walk-around.
- The aircraft's structure and the pilot's seated position in the left cockpit seat likely obstructed the view of the unlit equipment during the taxi maneuver.