Incident
At 05:06 UTC on 26 December 2024, a Cessna Citation 560XLS, registration T7-MSH, operated by Sardinian Sky Services, was taxiing on Taxiway G at Cairo International Airport (HECA). The aircraft was repositioning from Hangar Cleopatra to HALL 4, following a follow-me car as instructed by air traffic control. A MISR Petroleum pickup truck, traveling on a service road that intersected Taxiway G, collided with the left wing of the aircraft. The impact caused the pickup truck to flip over and come to rest on its right side.
Aircraft and Vehicle
The aircraft, a Cessna Citation 560XLS (serial number 560-6055), was registered in San Marino with a valid certificate of airworthiness. It had accumulated 2,650 hours and 12 minutes of flight time and 1,519 cycles. The pickup truck was a 2019 Nissan Pickup Double Cabin with a diesel engine, owned by MISR Petroleum Company and bearing plate number 976. The truck had undergone maintenance on 21 November 2024.
Injuries and Damage
Three occupants of the pickup truck sustained minor injuries. The aircraft sustained damage to the leading edge of its left wing. The pickup truck was damaged. No injuries were reported among the two crew members on the aircraft; there were no passengers.
Personnel
The flight was crewed by two Italian pilots: a captain with 10,010 hours of total flight time and a first officer with 1,711 hours. The pickup truck driver was an Egyptian national (born 15 May 1982) employed as a vehicle mechanic for MISR Petroleum Company at Cairo International Airport.
Communications
Before the collision, the flight crew communicated with Cairo tower control on 121.9 MHz. The aircraft was instructed to follow a follow-me car during taxi. At 05:06, the pilot reported the collision and requested emergency services. The follow-me car driver subsequently reported that the pickup truck had passed in front of the aircraft.
Meteorological Conditions
Weather at the time was reported as no significant weather with good visibility.