Incident Overview
On 11 April 2016, at approximately 1300 UTC, a Piper PA34 twin-engine aircraft, registered N37US, was involved in a ground collision at Jersey Airport. The aircraft, manufactured in 1980, was parked in the aero club parking area connected to the taxiway system by a paved private taxi route not designed to any particular standards. The pilot, who held a Commercial Pilot's Licence and had 6,000 total flying hours (3,000 on type), had been cleared by Air Traffic Control (ATC) to taxi to the runway holding point.
Sequence of Events
Following the clearance, the pilot taxied along the centreline of the private taxi route. Upon reaching the holding point, ATC informed the pilot that the aircraft’s wing had contacted another aircraft parked beside the taxi route. The flight was subsequently abandoned.
Aircraft and Damage
Inspection revealed minor damage to the wingtip of a parked PA-28 that was adjacent to the taxi route. The PA34 itself sustained no damage.
Pilot Experience
The commander, aged 88, had flown 3 hours in the preceding 90 days and 1 hour in the last 28 days. His total experience included 3,000 hours on the PA34 type.
Pilot's Observation
Although the collision occurred while the aircraft was following a designated path, the pilot noted that following a taxiway centreline does not guarantee clearance from parked aircraft.