What happened
On Saturday, 25 August 2012, a Pilatus PC6 B2H4, registration D-FIPS, was performing skydiving operations at Roanne Renaison aerodrome. After completing the first jump from runway 02, the pilot exited the runway via the second taxiway on the right and proceeded toward the parking area via a parallel taxiway.
While executing a right-hand turn, the pilot failed to maintain the aircraft on the taxiway centerline, causing the aircraft to drift to the left. During this maneuver, the left wing struck a pole, which broke, and the aircraft subsequently came to a stop after hitting a second pole. The aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation established that the poles had been temporarily installed along the taxiway in preparation for an upcoming airshow. These obstacles were positioned approximately 5 meters from the edge of the taxiway and 12 meters from the centerline. For an aerodrome classified as 2C, a clearance of 26 meters from the centerline is required. The Pilatus PC6 B2H4 has a wingspan of approximately 16 meters.
Crucially, no NOTAM had been issued to inform users of the presence of these obstacles within the taxiway strip. The pilot noted that while they had observed the poles during a flight the previous day, they had not accurately assessed their exact position. The pilot also noted that forward visibility is relatively limited in this aircraft type during ground operations.
Findings
- The temporary installation of obstacles within the taxiway strip without notifying aerodrome users was the primary cause of the accident.
- The pilot's failure to maintain the aircraft's trajectory during the turn, potentially due to excessive taxi speed, contributed to the leftward drift into the obstacles.