What happened
On November 24, 2006, a Tecnam P2002-JF, registration I-PULV, was involved in a ground incident at Catania Fontanarossa Airport (LICC) during a flight training mission. After landing on runway 08, the instructor pilot, who was operating the aircraft, was instructed by Air Traffic Control to vacate the runway via taxiway B.
As the aircraft was performing a backtrack, the crew noted another aircraft on short final approaching for a touch-and-go maneuver. In an effort to clear the runway quickly for the following traffic, the instructor steered the aircraft toward taxiway B. During this maneuver, the right wingtip struck a yellow, frangible support pole used for a stop bar sensor system. The impact caused the pole to break and resulted in a 20-centimeter laceration on the leading edge of the aircraft's right wing, including deformation of the nose rib 5. There were no injuries to the two occupants (an instructor and a student pilot).
The investigation
The ANSV investigation examined the aircraft's movement, the airport infrastructure, and the radio communications. Analysis of the VHF communications confirmed that a second aircraft was indeed on short final, creating a high-traffic situation that prompted the pilot's rapid movement.
Investigators measured the positioning of the obstacle and found that the sensor support pole was located only 0.86 meters from the taxiway's outer edge markings. The investigation also reviewed the ENAC Regulations for the construction and operation of aerodromes. It was determined that for an airport with the characteristics of Catania, the pole—classified as a 'manuscript' or fixed object—should have been placed at a much safer distance from the taxiway edge to prevent interference with aircraft wingtips.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's failure to detect the obstacle while focused on monitoring the approaching traffic.
- The pilot's concentration was likely diverted by the need to clear the runway for the aircraft performing a touch-and-go.
- A significant contributing factor was the incorrect positioning of a fixed obstacle near the taxiway, which did not comply with required safety distances.
- The sensor pole was installed only 0.86 meters from the taxiway boundary, whereas regulations required a minimum distance of 11 meters for an object of that height at a Code C taxiway.
- The height of the pole (1.06 meters) exceeded the height of the wingtip at that point in the taxiway, making the collision nearly unavoidable given the pilot's path.