What happened
On June 7, 2006, a private PIPER PA-28, registration EC-CMO, landed at Valencia Airport following a 90-minute local flight. The aircraft, carrying the pilot and three passengers, exited the runway via exit H6 and turned toward general aviation parking area 2. While attempting to locate taxiway J, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft to pass between parking stands 23 and 24, where noise barriers were located.
Seeking to utilize a gap in the metallic noise barriers to facilitate a turn, the pilot attempted to taxi the aircraft through the opening. During this maneuver, the right wingtip struck a barrier, causing the aircraft to pivot sharply to the right. The aircraft then struck the barrier with its nose, coming to a halt. The incident resulted in no fatalities or injuries, though the aircraft sustained minor damage to the right wingtip and the propeller, which suffered a bent blade and a severed blade tip.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the taxi sequence and the environmental conditions at the aerodrome. At the time of the occurrence, Valencia Airport was undergoing phase III of a major expansion project. This construction involved the closure of taxiway D and the implementation of a temporary taxiway J, which had undergone several layout changes during previous construction phases.
Investigators examined the pilot's navigation through the modified apron area. It was established that the pilot was navigating a complex environment characterized by relocated parking stands and temporary taxiway markings. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience level and familiarity with the airport's current configuration during the construction period.