What happened
On 11 April 2016, a Piper PA34, registration N37US, was prepared for a test flight following recent maintenance work. The aircraft was positioned within the aero club parking area at Jersey Airport. During the taxi phase, the pilot received clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to proceed to the runway holding point.
As the pilot followed the centerline of a paved private taxi route—a path connecting the parking area to the taxiway system that does not adhere to specific design standards—a collision occurred. ATC notified the pilot that the aircraft's wing had made contact with another aircraft parked alongside the route. Consequently, the planned test flight was cancelled. The collision resulted in minor damage to the wingtip of a parked PA-28, but there were no injuries to the two occupants of the Piper PA34, and no damage was sustained by the N37US.
The investigation
Investigators examined the taxi route and the circumstances of the contact. It was noted that the route used by the pilot was a private taxi path rather than a standard taxiway. The investigation confirmed that the contact occurred between the wingtip of the N347US and the wingtip of the stationary PA-28.
Findings
- The collision occurred while the aircraft was navigating a non-standard taxi route.
- Following the centerline of the taxi route did not provide sufficient clearance from aircraft parked adjacent to the path.