What happened
While maneuvering at taxi speeds, an aircraft struck a small boat located in the middle of a creek. At the time of the incident, the boat was stationary and positioned directly in the path of the oncoming aircraft. As the pilot approached, the boat operator attempted to start the engine and maneuver the vessel out of the aircraft's trajectory. This sudden movement likely altered the angle of impact, which may have mitigated the severity of the collision for those on board the boat.
The investigation
The investigation focused on why the pilot failed to detect the vessel before the impact occurred. Investigators examined the visual environment and the physical characteristics of the boat. It was determined that the boat's silver hull and dark blue canopy made it difficult to distinguish from the surrounding landscape. Furthermore, the lack of movement from the vessel contributed to the pilot's inability to identify it as an obstacle.
Findings
Several contributing factors led to the collision:
- The weather conditions present on the day of the event.
- The specific color palette of the boat, which blended into the background environment.
- The lack of movement of the boat prior to the impact.
- The size and location of the vessel within the aircraft's direct path.