History of the Flight
On 22 March 2023, at 1300 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161 (registration G-EKIR) was preparing for a return flight from Sandtoft Airfield to Gloucester. The pilot started the engine and taxied from parking position Stand 7 across the runway and along Taxiway A to uplift fuel. On Taxiway A, a delivery vehicle was parked completing a delivery to the café. The pilot assessed the gap as sufficient for the aircraft's wingspan and proceeded at a slow walking pace. However, the port wingtip of G-EKIR clipped the side and wing mirror of the vehicle.
Damage and Injuries
The collision damaged the left navigation and position lights casing and caused scuffs to the paintwork on the wing tip area. The vehicle sustained damage to the right panel and below the right wing mirror. No injuries were reported.
Aerodrome and Vehicle Context
Sandtoft is a licensed aerodrome that restricts aircraft movements requiring a licence primarily to Saturdays and Sundays. It provides an Air Ground Communications Service (AGCS), which is not considered an air traffic service in the UK. The taxiway width is 15 m, and G-EKIR has a wingspan of 10.70 m. The vehicle was parked approximately 1 to 2 m from the taxiway edge, with another aircraft partially parked on the taxiway to the right of G-EKIR.
The vehicle driver was on his first visit to Sandtoft, accompanied by a staff member who had been before. He reported no signage or barrier at the entrance and stated it was common practice for drivers to park behind the café. He was unaware he was on the taxiway or that permission was required to enter the airfield.
Regulatory Aspects
Under the Air Navigation Order 2016, a person or vehicle must not go onto any part of an aerodrome without the permission of the person in charge, unless a public right of way exists. Since Sandtoft does not provide air traffic control or flight information services, regulation (1) applies. The airfield operator had a standing arrangement with the café for delivery vehicles to enter the taxiway provided they had appropriate insurance and understood the operating rules. The vehicle involved in this incident had not sought nor been granted permission to enter or park on the taxiway.
Subsequent Actions
Following the incident, the delivery company instructed its drivers to park in the car park rather than entering the taxiway. The airfield operator stated they would review the signage at the airfield entrance to ensure users are aware they are entering an active airfield.