What happened
On 8 August 2009, a DA 42 Twin Star, registration G-PETS, was taxiing at Jersey Airport for a training flight. The aircraft was being operated by an instructor and a student pilot. While moving from the grass parking area toward Taxiway Alpha, the aircraft traversed a block-paved access track located east of Holding Point Hotel. During this movement, the instructor momentarily diverted his attention from the student and the aircraft's progress to record the aircraft's off-chocks time. During this lapse in monitoring, the left winglet of G-PETS struck the underside of the right wing of a stationary, visiting aircraft parked near the Aero Club. The collision caused a crushed wingtip fairing and scuffing to the left winglet of the DA 42 Twin Star, along with a foot-long slit in the underwing surface of the stationary aircraft. No injuries were sustained by the two crew members.
The investigation
The investigation examined the movement of the aircraft and the configuration of the airfield. It was noted that the access track in question is not formally designated as a taxiway by the Airport Authority and does not meet the standard criteria for a taxiway as outlined in CAP 168. The track features a painted centre-line intended only for assistance, and the side of the track does not provide the standard clearances typically associated with a taxiway. The investigation also reviewed the information available to pilots, noting that the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) and available airfield charts contain specific warnings regarding the need for caution and wingtip clearance when using this particular access track.
Findings
- The collision occurred because the instructor diverted his attention from monitoring the aircraft's progress to perform administrative tasks while the aircraft was in motion.
- The aircraft was operating on an access track that lacks the standard clearances of a formal taxiway.
- The instructor had not reviewed the specific cautionary notes regarding the access track provided in the airfield charts or the AIP.
- The stationary aircraft was a visiting light aircraft parked in an area intended for club members only.