What happened
On 14 February 2001, a Cessna F172H, registration G-AWUZ, was involved in a ground incident at Henstridge, Somerset. Following a landing on Runway 07, the pilot taxied the aircraft toward a fuel tanker located at the end of the taxiway. To maintain clearance from two aircraft parked on the right side of the taxiway, the pilot steered toward the left side of the path.
As the aircraft progressed, the pilot observed another aircraft departing the fuel tanker area. To facilitate the passage of this second aircraft, the pilot slowed the Cesslam F172H and moved even further to the left. During this maneuver, the pilot's attention shifted to the passing aircraft, momentarily diverting focus from the immediate taxiway environment. Consequently, the left wing tip of the aircraft struck a green hut situated approximately 20 metres to the pilot's front-left. The pilot immediately applied the parking brake and shut down the engine. There were no injuries to the two persons on board.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. The inquiry examined the sequence of taxiing maneuvers and the spatial awareness of the crew during the interaction with other aircraft on the airfield. The investigation established that the contact occurred because the pilot's attention was diverted by the movement of another aircraft, leading to a failure to maintain adequate clearance from the stationary structure on the left side of the taxiway.