Diamond DA40 F-HDAX Hangar Collision During Solo Taxi at Carcassonne Salvaza

Incident Overview On 21 April 2015 at approximately 17:30 local time, a Diamond DA40 registered F-HDAX collided with a hangar while taxiing on the general aviation parking area at Carcassonne Salvaza aerodrome. The aircraft was operating under general aviation rules and was piloted by a student pilot conducting a solo navigation flight. ## Flight Progression The student pilot departed from Montpellier Méditerranée aerodrome, with planned stops at Valence Chabeuil and Carcassonne Salvaza. After landing on runway 10 at Carcassonne Salvaza, the pilot taxied toward the general aviation parking area to park and have the flight log signed by the SSLIA watch. ## Collision Details Upon entering the parking area, the pilot turned left, followed the ground markings, and turned right behind two parked aircraft. The pilot then decided to navigate around these aircraft between the parking positions and the hangar. Focusing on separation from the aircraft on the right, the pilot did not verify clearance from the buildings on the left. The left wingtip struck a hangar door, causing the aircraft to pivot left, and the rotating propeller subsequently struck the building. ## Additional Information The pilot had 42 hours of flight experience, all accumulated within the previous three months. The pilot had previously operated at Carcassonne Salvaza and had used the parking area before. The parking positions are designed for aircraft with a wingspan under 12.5 meters, and the space between the parking area and the hangar, marked by a continuous white line, is available for parking aircraft based at the aerodrome. The DA40 has a wingspan of approximately 12 meters. ## Findings The pilot chose to taxi outside the designated pathways while not being based at the aerodrome.