On December 18, 1978, a De Havilland DH.114 Heron (registration N3FB) operated by Allegheny Commuter was involved in an aviation accident near Cleveland-Hopkins, United States of America during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Ground collision with airport vehicle after ATC personnel issue improper or conflicting instructions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A four-engine airplane struck an airport vehicle while decelerating on landing at Cleveland-Hopkins. All 17 occupants evacuated safely; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Event Details
Following an uneventful flight from Mansfield, the crew received clearance to land at Cleveland-Hopkins Airport. After touchdown, while decelerating on the runway, the four-engine airplane collided with an airport vehicle that was crossing the runway from an airport position to the terminal area. The crew brought the airplane to a stop on the runway.
Aftermath
All 17 occupants were evacuated safely. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be a ground collision with an airport vehicle following improper or conflicting instructions issued by air traffic control personnel. Contributing factors included the driver of the vehicle and the ground controller, who cleared the airport vehicle from an airport position to the terminal area.