Incident Summary
On 15 November 2002 at 1158 UTC, a Cessna 340A (registration N340YP) was involved in a ground incident at Cambridge Airport during parking. The aircraft, operated under a Private Pilot's Licence, sustained damage to the right propeller and engine. The sole pilot was uninjured.
Sequence of Events
The pilot completed an uneventful VFR flight from Biggin Hill to Cambridge, landing on Runway 23 and vacating via taxiway Charlie. He informed airfield operations that hard standing parking was required due to limited propeller tip clearance on grass. Directed to a semicircular paved area in front of the terminal building, the pilot was instructed by ATC to park between two Harriers and a large private jet, following a marshaller's guidance.
After maneuvering past the three aircraft into the curved parking area, the pilot signaled readiness with a thumbs up. The marshaller initially signaled straight ahead, then a sharp left turn to position the right main landing gear at the edge of the paved surface. The pilot continued following signals that indicated a decreasing turn rate and very slow forward movement. The aircraft was taxiing at less than walking pace, likely one to two knots, with the marshaller positioned at the 11 o'clock relative to the aircraft. The marshaller raised his right baton to indicate forward movement while his left baton signaled an increasingly slow left turn. At no point was the pilot signaled to stop.
Pilot's Account
The pilot reported hearing and feeling a sharp splintering noise from the right engine and observed debris rising. The marshaller continued signaling forward, but the aircraft had stopped. When the pilot increased power, the right engine produced an unpleasant sound, prompting him to shut down both engines and disembark to assess the situation.
Examination revealed that the aircraft had left the paved surface onto the grass as the turn rate slowed. The right propeller struck a light mounted on a short metal pipe. The right main landing gear wheel came to rest against the pipe, halting the aircraft. The pilot noted that the right wheel had moved approximately two tyre widths off the paved surface.
Damage and Aftermath
The incident resulted in bent right propeller tips and shock loading of the right engine. The pilot concluded that he had followed the marshaller's instructions and had not seen the light obstruction due to focusing on the marshaller's signals. He believed the marshaller could see the right wheel and would prevent it from rolling onto the grass.