Accident Overview
On April 11, 2000, a Cessna 152 (registration EC-FCH) was involved in a taxi accident at Málaga Airport. The aircraft, manufactured in 1979 and powered by a single Lycoming O235-L2C engine, was being operated by a student pilot for a local solo instructional flight. The pilot, aged 18 with 37 total flight hours, was uninjured in the incident, but the aircraft sustained significant damage.
Sequence of Events
The student pilot contacted ground control at 10:01:15 local time requesting taxi clearance and was instructed to proceed to the holding point for Runway 32. Earlier, at 09:59:53, the crew of a CN-235 (registration EC-HAV) had requested and received clearance to start engines and taxi to the same holding point for an engine run-up.
At 10:04:51, the CN-235 crew reported they were ready to taxi and were cleared to the holding point, positioning behind a Boeing 757. At 10:06:16, ground control asked the Cessna pilot to report when ready for departure. Three minutes later, the CN-235 announced it was at the holding point and confirmed it would perform an engine run-up, after which it would return to the parking area.
At 10:11:46, the Cessna pilot requested taxi clearance to the holding point, which was granted. The Cessna began taxiing, passed the CN-235, and turned left to position behind it. As the CN-235 conducted its engine run-up, the Cessna was caught in the propeller wash, causing its nose to pitch down and the right wing to strike the ground, resulting in the aircraft overturning.
At 10:15:03, a helicopter pilot reported the overturned aircraft to the tower. Shortly after, the Cessna pilot contacted the tower by mobile phone, stating he was unharmed but the aircraft was damaged. Emergency services were dispatched.
Damage and Injuries
The Cessna 152 sustained damage to its propeller and spinner, engine, right wing, and nose wheel strut. The pilot reported no injuries.
Analysis
The accident investigation noted that ground control did not explicitly warn the Cessna pilot that the CN-235 would be performing an engine run-up. However, the CN-235's communication about the run-up was made on the same frequency, which the Cessna pilot may have heard. The student pilot's habitual procedure was to taxi to the far side of the holding area away from the runway for pre-takeoff checks, which placed him behind the CN-235. The CN-235 positioned parallel to the runway instead of facing it, which allowed its propeller wash to affect a large area of the holding point.