What happened
On 7 February 2019, a Socata TB20 Trinidad, registration G-BMIX, was performing a night taxi at Dundee Airport. The aircraft, carrying one pilot and one passenger, was moving from a grass apron toward the south side of the main apron for pre-departure checks. Following instructions from Air Traffic Control, the pilot proceeded via Taxiway E.
As the aircraft approached the junction where the taxiway curves left to meet the main apron, the pilot experienced a sudden impact and a loud noise, which he initially believed was the landing gear bottoming out. After being alerted by ATC that a loud bang had been heard, the pilot stopped and shut down the engine. Upon inspection by the Airport Fire and Rescue Service, it was discovered that the left main landing gear oleo had burst due to an overload.
The investigation
The investigation established that the aircraft had failed to follow the curve of Taxiway E, instead continuing straight and departing the right side of the paved surface. Witness marks indicated that the aircraft had transitioned from the taxiway onto the grass and then rolled over the paved edge of the main apron.
Investigators examined the lighting and markings of the airfield, noting that Taxiway E was correctly marked with a yellow centerline and blue edge lights. A witness at the scene suggested that the aircraft was traveling at an excessive taxiing speed. The pilot noted that the bright illumination of the main apron likely obscured the visibility of the blue taxiway edge lights during the night operation.
Findings
- The aircraft departed the intended path at the curved section of Taxiway E.
- The left main landing gear oleo sustained an overload, resulting in a burst and the release of hydraulic fluid.
- The pilot's loss of situational awareness regarding the aircraft's position was likely caused by the bright lights of the main apron making the blue taxiway edge lights difficult to see.
- The speed of the taxi was potentially too high for the conditions.
Safety action
Following an internal investigation, Dundee Airport planned to implement two changes: inserting a taxi speed limit into the airport's AIP documentation and reducing the severity of the lip between the grass and the apron surface where Taxiway E meets the main apron.