What happened
On September 18, 2004, a Piper PA-34 Seneca, registration G-BMDK, was performing a freight operation at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. After landing on runway 22, the two-person crew requested taxi instructions to the R-apron to deliver a spare part to a parked Boeing 747. This request necessitated a long taxi route that required crossing several active runways.
As the aircraft proceeded via taxiway G, the ground controller instructed the crew to cross runways 22 and 18L, specifically providing a warning regarding potential jet blast. At the time, a Boeing 747 and a Boeing 737 were positioned on taxiway S7, waiting for clearance to line up on runway 24. To facilitate the passage of the Seneca, the tower controller requested the Boeing 747 crew to remain stationary while the Boeing 737 moved forward. The Seneca was then cleared to taxi between the two larger jets.
While navigating the narrow gap, the Seneca crew deviated from the taxiway centerline to increase separation from the Boeing 737. However, as both the Boeing 747 and the Boeing 737 received clearance to line up on runway 24, they increased engine thrust. The resulting jet blast from the Boeing 737 struck the Seneca, forcing the right-hand wingtip and the right-hand propeller blades into the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the coordination between air traffic controllers and the maneuvering of the aircraft involved. Investigators examined the ground controller's instructions and the specific movement of the Boeing 737. It was noted that the Boeing 737 performed a non-standard turn toward taxiway E1 to create space, which placed it in a position that contributed to the incident.
Furthermore, the investigation looked into the communication between the flight operator and the airport. The operator had not informed the airport that the delivery destination was the R-apron, which led to the assignment of runway 22 and the subsequent complex taxi route through high-traffic areas.