What happened
On 4 December 2009, a Beech B200GT, registration G-RAFX, was involved in an accident during a military flight at RAF Valley, Anglesey. After landing on Runway 13, the crew was taxiing the aircraft toward the northern dispersal to allow a passenger to disembark with the engines still running.
During the taxi, the crew was alerted by Air Traffic Control regarding the presence of fencing on the right side of the northern taxiway, which had been installed to protect an active work area. ATC advised that the aircraft might need to offset to the left of the centerline to avoid the obstruction. While the instructor focused on maintaining the aircraft's position on the centerline, the student pilot's attention was diverted within the cockpit. During this period, a rumbling vibration was noted, which the crew initially suspected was related to the landing gear or an uneven taxiway surface. Upon looking to the right, the crew realized the right wing had made contact with the fence for a distance of approximately five meters.
The investigation
The investigation was conducted under the Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996, as the aircraft was on the civil register despite being operated by the RAF. The RAF also conducted a Unit Inquiry. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the contact and the subsequent inspection of the aircraft.
Following the incident, the instructor taxied the aircraft away from the fence and proceeded to the dispersal, where the engines were shut down. A physical inspection of the aircraft confirmed that the right outer wing had sustained significant damage.