What happened
On September 27, 2014, a Pilatus PC-6/B2-H4, registration F-GVTF, was prepared for takeoff on runway 09 at Le Luc le Cannet aerodrome. The aircraft was operating a skydiving mission carrying a pilot and ten passengers. Before departure, air traffic control instructed the pilot to cancel the flight due to incoming traffic in the aerodrome circuit.
Following this instruction, the pilot turned the aircraft toward taxiway "K" to return to the Centre Ecole de Parachutствие de la Côte d'Azur (CEPCA). During the taxi maneuver, the left wing of the aircraft struck a gate, resulting in heavy damage to the wing, specifically affecting the wingtip and the flap.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the configuration of the taxiway and the pilot's actions during the maneuver. The aerodrome, operated by the Ministry of Defense, features a perimeter fence. At the intersection of taxiway "K" and the military enclosure, a gate allows aircraft to transition between the military zone and the CEPCA.
Investigators noted that taxiway "K" is surfaced with gravel and marked laterally with cones, but lacks a central axial line marking. Crucially, the taxiway does not align centrally with the gate opening; the path curves in a manner that requires pilots to deviate from the center of the taxiway to clear the gate structure. The pilot stated that while taxiing, he was communicating the reason for the flight cancellation to the passengers. Although the pilot maintained he was taxiing in the center of the path and was aware of the gate's offset alignment, he experienced a sudden leftward impact with the gate edge.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was pilot inattention while navigating the gate.
- The sudden change in flight plans (the flight cancellation) likely contributed to a lapse in the pilot's concentration.
- The lack of centerline markings on the gravel taxiway served as a contributing factor.
- The physical misalignment of the taxiway with the gate opening further contributed to the collision.