What happened
On August 27, 2014, a Robin DR400-120, registration F-GAVP, landed on runway 25 at the Montaigu - Saint-Georges aerodrome. After landing, the pilot taxied via taxiway A toward a parking area. Upon reaching the parking area, the pilot noticed friends nearby and decided to continue taxiing along a service road that runs alongside several hangars to get closer to them.
While making a left turn, the aircraft's right wing struck a metal pillar used to support a hangar door rail. The impact caused the leading edge of the right wing to be crushed by several dozen centimeters approximately one meter from the wingtip. There were no fatalities or injuries associated with this event, but the aircraft sustained heavy damage to its right wing.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's actions and the airfield's taxiway markings. The pilot, holding a PPL(A) with 285 total flight hours, noted that he was distracted by the presence of his friends. He also stated that he was unfamiliar with the aerodrome's layout, having only visited the field once previously in 2013 for a touch-and-go maneuver, and therefore had not previously operated on its taxiways or parking areas. He admitted he did not realize the path he was following was a service road not intended for aircraft use.
Investigators examined the airfield's layout and found that while the service road was present on the aerodrome's visual chart (VAC), there were no ground markings, such as safety lines, to indicate that the road was restricted. The investigation also noted that the pilot's decision to use the service road was likely reinforced by the fact that the path appeared on the official aerodrome chart.
Findings
- The pilot's lack of vigilance and external surveillance led to the collision with the pillar.
- The pilot was distracted by the presence of friends whom he intended to fly.
- The absence of clear ground markings or safety lines made it difficult for the pilot, who was unfamiliar with the airfield, to identify that the service road was not an authorized taxiway.
- The pilot's familiarity with the airfield was limited, as his previous visit had not involved taxiing or parking operations.