What happened
On September 3, 2003, a Scheibe SF 28 A motor glider, registered F-CFTJ, was taxiing on a taxiway parallel to runway 25 at Oloron aerodrome. During the taxi maneuver, the pilot observed a helicopter on long final approach. In an attempt to increase lateral separation from the active runway, the pilot steered the aircraft to the left.
During this maneuver, the left wingtip struck a large red "STOP" sign located on the left edge of the taxiway. The impact caused the motor glider to pivot abruptly 90 degrees to the left, eventually coming to rest in a roadside drainage ditch. The aircraft sustained heavy damage as a result of the collision.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the positioning of the signage and the pilot's maneuvering decisions. The "STOP" sign in question is a large, red indicator used to mark the start of the usable runway surface during wet conditions. It was positioned on the left side of the taxiway, aligned with the offset thresholds of runway 25.
Investigators noted that the width of the taxiway, measured between the drainage ditch and the edge of the unpaved portion of runway 25, is 15 meters. Given that the wingspan of the Scheibe SF 28 A is 16.28 meters, the aircraft's dimensions exceeded the available width of the taxiway path when deviating toward the left edge.
Findings
- The pilot's decision to deviate leftward to avoid the approaching helicopter led to the wingtip striking the sign.
- The pilot stated they had forgotten the presence of the sign during the maneuver.
- The primary cause of the accident was a decrease in vigilance caused by a focus of attention on an aircraft landing nearby.