What happened
On 27 August 2006, at Leeds (Bradford) Airport, a collision occurred between two Pierre Robin HR200/120B aircraft during taxiing operations. The first aircraft, G-BYLH, had started its engine and was taxiing toward the main apron to perform engine power checks. At the time, G-BYLH was positioned with its engine running near the western edge of the main apron.
Simultaneously, the second aircraft, G-ascBXGW, had started its engine and was performing power checks on Taxiway ‘F’. Due to space constraints at the airfield, the operator frequently parks aircraft on the western side of the taxiway, necessitating that certain aircraft taxi to the right of the taxiway centerline. As the crew of G-BXGW proceeded toward the runway 32 holding point, the right wingtip of the moving aircraft struck the left wing of the stationary, engine-running G-BYLH, which was protruding slightly into the taxiway.
There were no injuries to the crews of either aircraft. The impact caused a deformation to the left aileron and ripped the fiberglass section of the wingtip on G-BYLH, while the right navigation light on G-BXGW sustained damage.
The investigation
The investigation was based on aircraft accident report forms provided by the pilots. The investigators examined the positioning of the aircraft and the taxi routes used at the time of the incident. It was established that the collision occurred because the wing of the parked aircraft was encroaching into the taxiway area, and the maneuvering requirements for G-BXGW necessitated a path that brought it into contact with the protruding wing of G-BYLH.
Findings
- The collision was caused by the left wing of the parked aircraft protruding into the taxiway.
- Space limitations at the airport required certain aircraft to taxi to the right of the taxiway centerline to avoid parked aircraft.
- The aircraft involved were both being operated by the same company for training purposes.