What happened
On October 11, 2009, a privately owned Piper PA-46-310P, registration JA4058, landed on runway 29 at Tokushima Aerodrome following a flight from Yao Airport. While taxiing toward the apron, the aircraft deviated from its assigned route and entered a construction area on taxiway N-2. The uneven ground, which featured a 30cm drop from the paved surface, caused the aircraft's nose to strike the ground. The impact resulted in the breakage of the nose landing gear actuator and damage to the engine cowling and nose gear doors. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was uninjured.
The investigation
The Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB) examined the aircraft's movement, the airfield's condition, and air traffic control communications. The investigation established that the ground controller had instructed the pilot to taxi via taxiway N-1, and the pilot had correctly read back this instruction. However, the pilot subsequently turned into taxiway N-2, a route they had used frequently in the past. Investigators also reviewed the airfield's markings, noting that while unserviceability lights and a yellow "X" marking were present at the entrance of N-2, they were not clearly visible to the pilot from the left seat during the day, potentially due to the aircraft's wing structure. Additionally, the investigation noted that the ground controller had temporarily left their position to update records at the time of the incident.
Findings
- The pilot failed to check updated aeronautical information (NOTAMs) before departure, which would have indicated the unserviceability of taxiway N-2.
- The pilot's familiarity with the aerodrome likely led to a lack of caution, resulting in an automated turn into the closed taxiway.
- The pilot did not maintain adequate observation of the taxiway surface conditions while taxiing.
- The aircraft entered a closed taxiway because the pilot had not confirmed recent aeronautical updates and was operating with reduced vigilance due to familiarity with the airport.