What happened
On 4 March 2011, a Learjet 35, registration N860S, was taxiing from the Executive Jet Centre at Bermuda Airport. The aircraft was performing a non-revenue commercial air transport flight with two crew members and two passengers on board. While maneuvering approximately 100 feet east on Apron 2, the aircraft struck an unoccupied airside vehicle belonging to a ground handling agency that was parked in front of the Executive Jet Centre.
The crew, unaware that a collision had occurred, proceeded to contact Air Traffic Control to request clearance to the active runway. During this communication, the tower informed the pilot that the aircraft had struck two vehicles while maneuvering on the ramp. The crew subsequently returned the aircraft to the Executive Jet Centre. The collision resulted in no injuries to the crew or passengers, but caused damage to both the aircraft and the vehicle.
The investigation
An investigation conducted by the local AAIB accredited agent established that the aircraft sustained paint abrasion on the left tip tank and damage to the navigation light lens, along with substantial damage to the left winglet. The ground vehicle suffered a broken driver-side brake light assembly and an indentation on its right side.
Although the tower reported two vehicle strikes, the investigation confirmed that only one vehicle had actually been hit. The aircraft was declared unserviceable by the Senior Airworthiness Inspector from the Department of Civil Aviation. Following local repairs, which included the replacement of the left tip tank dorsal fin, the aircraft was released for flight under FAA requirements and departed Bermuda on 6 March 2011.
Findings
- The collision occurred because the aircraft came into contact with an unoccupied vehicle while taxiing on the apron.
- The crew did not perceive any impact or realize a collision had taken place until notified by Air Traffic Control.