What happened
On April 21, 2015, at approximately 17:30 local time, a student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country flight originating from Montpellier Méditerranée. The flight itinerary included 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 visit the nearby SSLIA station to have a flight logbook signed.
While maneuvering through the parking area, the pilot turned left onto the apron, followed ground markings, and then turned right behind two parked aircraft. In an attempt to navigate between the parked planes and a hangar, the pilot attempted to pass through the space between the aircraft and the building. During this maneuver, the pilot focused on maintaining clearance from the aircraft on the right but failed to monitor the distance to the structures on the left. Consequently, the left wingtip of the Diamond DA40, registration F-HDAX, struck a hangar door. The impact caused the aircraft to pivot left, leading the rotating propeller to strike the building. The aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience and the layout of the aerodrome. At the time of the accident, the pilot had accumulated 42 total flight hours, all of which had been completed within the previous three months. The pilot was familiar with the Carcassonne Salvaza aerodrome and had previously used this specific parking area.
Investigators noted that the parking stands at the aerodrome are designed for aircraft with a wingspan of less than 12.5 meters, which is compatible with the approximately 12-meter wingspan of the Diamond DA40. The area between the parking stands and the hangar, marked by a continuous white line, is an area where aircraft based at the aerodrome are permitted to park.
Findings
- The pilot opted to taxi outside of the designated taxiway markings despite not being based at the aerodrome.
- The pilot's attention was focused on maintaining separation from the aircraft on the right side of the taxi path, resulting in a lack of situational awareness regarding the proximity of the hangar on the left.