Accident
On 17 March 2019 at 1619 UTC, a Tecnam P2006T twin-engine aircraft, registration G-SACL, struck a generator and subsequently an articulated lorry during taxi at Redhill Aerodrome, Surrey. The aircraft sustained damage to the nose cone, left wing, and left engine cowl. The two occupants—a pilot and a safety pilot—evacuated without injury.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft was a 2016 Tecnam P2006T (serial number 152) powered by two Rotax 912-S3 piston engines. The commander held a Private Pilot’s Licence, was 77 years old, and had 255 total flying hours, of which 101 were on type. He had flown 8 hours in the last 90 days and 1 hour in the last 28 days. A safety pilot was aboard as a condition of the commander’s medical certificate.
Sequence of Events
During taxi, the pilot manoeuvred left to avoid a parked Piper PA-28 on the right side of the taxiway. While looking right to ensure clearance from the PA-28, he also looked ahead to identify the centreline, which was difficult due to faded white road markings and older markings visible on the apron. As he attempted to regain the centreline, the aircraft’s left wing tip struck a large metal generator positioned near the left apron edge. The pilot noted that the generator’s colour blended with the hangar behind, making it hard to see. After the impact, the aircraft slewed left and came to rest when the nose struck an articulated lorry parked next to the generator. The pilot shut down the engines, and both occupants evacuated safely. The fire service attended because fuel was leaking from the fractured left wing tank.
Safety Action
Following the accident, a CAA aerodrome inspector visited Redhill and agreed with the airport operator on several changes: existing white road markings in front of hangars would remain; a yellow taxiway centreline marking would be placed 6 m from that edge; a red safety line, behind which aircraft would be parked, would be marked 6 m from the opposite side of the yellow centreline; instructions would be issued for parked aircraft to have main wheels pushed back to the grass edge; and a warning would be added to the UK AIP advising pilots unsure of wing tip clearance to request assistance.