Accident Overview
On 30 August 2008 at 1510 UTC, a Diamond DA40 D Star, registration G-CCHA, sustained damage when it collided with a hangar during taxi at Retford (Gamston Airport), Nottinghamshire. The aircraft, manufactured in 2003, was being used for a training flight with a single student pilot on board. No passengers were carried, and the pilot reported no injuries.
Flight Sequence
The student pilot had just completed a solo flight and landed. While taxiing back to the parking area, he made a left turn. During this maneuver, he became distracted while making a radio call and did not notice that the aircraft was still rolling towards Hangar No 3. Attempting to turn away, the right wing tip struck the side of the hangar, causing the aircraft to pivot to the right. The propeller then struck the hangar door. The pilot shut down the engine and vacated the aircraft.
Aircraft Damage
The damage was limited to the right wing tip and the propeller. The aircraft, a DA40 D with a single Thielert TAE 125-02-99 piston diesel engine, was otherwise intact.
Pilot Information
The commander held a Student Pilot Licence and was 34 years old. His total flying experience was 17 hours, all on the DA40 type. In the last 90 days he had flown 9 hours, and in the last 28 days, 1 hour.
Investigation Source
Information for this report was derived from an Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot.