Accident Overview
On 11 May 2021 at 11:12 UTC, a ground collision occurred at Prague Letňany Airport (LKLT) between a Cessna F152, registration OK-VYR, and a Robinson R44 Raven II, registration OK-BAD. The Cessna was operated by Flying Academy s.r.o., and the Robinson was operated by Alpha Aviation s.r.o. and owned by Studentský aeroklub z.s. No injuries were reported.
Sequence of Events
The Cessna, piloted by a 22-year-old student pilot from India, had just landed on Runway 05R. The air traffic controller instructed him to expedite taxi to the fuel station due to expected parachute landings. While taxiing, the student attempted to follow the yellow centerline marking on a paved area. A Robinson R44 helicopter was parked on the left side of this paved area. The student misjudged the distance, and the left wingtip of the Cessna struck the helicopter's cabin, followed by contact with the upper strobe light and the tail rotor. Although the helicopter's rotor brake was engaged, the tail rotor rotated upon impact. The collision caused the Cessna to veer left by approximately 20 degrees.
Damage
The Cessna F152 sustained minor damage. The Robinson R44 sustained major damage. No other damage was reported.
Witness Accounts
The student's instructor, who observed from the RADIO Letňany station, confirmed the student's description of events. A second witness, an airport employee, stated that the security camera footage matched the student's account. A third witness, a technician who had parked the helicopter, reported that he had placed the helicopter at the edge of the paved area to allow adequate clearance for other aircraft.
Investigation Findings
The student held a valid Class 2 medical certificate and a restricted radiotelephone operator license. He had logged 16 hours and 54 minutes total flight time, all on the Cessna F152, with 3 hours and 36 minutes as pilot-in-command. Alcohol tests for the student, instructor, and controller were negative.
Probable Cause
The immediate cause of the accident was the student pilot's error in misjudging the distance between the airplane and the parked helicopter. A contributing factor was the student's attempt to comply with the controller's instruction to expedite taxi, given in relation to expected parachute landings.