Incident Overview
On 26 July 2009, a privately operated Avions Pierre Robin DR400-120 (registration F-GMGP) was involved in a ground collision at Alderney Airport, Channel Islands. The aircraft had just completed an uneventful flight from Lessay, France, and was taxiing to its parking position when the event occurred. The pilot, aged 66 and holding a Private Pilot’s Licence with 1,145 hours of experience (all on type), was the sole crew member. Two passengers were also on board, and none sustained injuries.
Sequence of Events
After landing, air traffic control cleared the aircraft to taxi via Taxiway B. Taxiway B is characterised by a slope descending before a 90° turn to the right. The pilot had not used the foot brakes during the landing and relied on the hand-operated parking brake. As the aircraft proceeded downhill, the pilot applied the foot brakes. At that moment, the pilot’s seat slid violently backwards. The pilot had checked that the seat was locked in position before departure from Lessay but could not account for the subsequent seat movement.
With the seat moved rearward, the pilot was unable to reach either the rudder pedals or the foot brakes. The aircraft continued straight ahead, departing the left side of the taxiway as the taxiway curved to the right. It ran off the paved surface at low speed and struck the airfield boundary hedge and fence.
Damage and Aftermath
The collision resulted in damage to the propeller and the pitot tube. The pilot shut down the engine and applied the hand-operated parking brake after the impact. The aircraft was able to slow but could not be prevented from hitting the hedge and fence. No injuries were reported among the occupants. The pilot submitted an Aircraft Accident Report Form, which served as the primary source of information for the investigation.
Investigation Findings
The investigation noted that the pilot had verified the seat was locked prior to departure. The reason for the seat sliding during taxi could not be determined from the available information.