What happened
On 16 September 2004, a Falcon 50, registration CS-DFI, was performing a commercial flight that concluded with a landing at London City Airport. Following the landing, the aircraft proceeded to taxi toward a parking area located on a heavily populated general aviation apron. During this movement, the aircraft was being directed by a ground marshaller.
As the aircraft approached a parked Cessna Citation, the commander requested that the First Officer monitor the clearance of the right wingtip. The pilot slowed the aircraft significantly while passing the stationary jet. Although the First Officer assessed that there was sufficient space between the two aircraft, the right wingtip of the Falcon 50 made contact with the nose of the Citation. The impact was described as gentle, and there were no injuries to the crew or the four passengers on board.
The investigation
The investigation, prompted by the accident report submitted by the pilot, focused on the taxiing sequence and the clearance between the two aircraft. The examination established that the aircraft was being manoeuvred under the guidance of a marshaller at the time of the incident. The investigation reviewed the actions of the flight crew, specifically the monitoring of the wingtip clearance and the speed of the aircraft during the pass.
Findings
- The collision occurred while the aircraft was taxiing on a busy apron.
- The commander had instructed the First Officer to maintain visual contact with the right wingtip.
- The right wingtip struck the nose of the parked Cessna Citation despite the crew's efforts to maintain clearance.