Accident
On 10 January 2014 at 1500 UTC, a Pilatus PC-12/45 (registration M-YBLS) and a Beech B200GT King Air (registration M-SYGB) were involved in a ground collision at Fairoaks Airport, Surrey. The Pilatus was being taxied by its pilot, while the King Air was parked and unoccupied. Neither aircraft had any passengers, and no injuries were reported.
Aircraft Information
The Pilatus PC-12/45, serial number 176 (manufactured 1999), is a single-engine turboprop powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6 67B engine. The Beech B200GT King Air, serial number BY-68 (manufactured 2009), is a twin-engine turboprop powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engines.
Sequence of Events
The pilot of M-YBLS conducted an external inspection before flight and noted that his aircraft was parked at a 45° angle to the left of parallel relative to the adjacent King Air, rather than the usual parallel orientation. After completing checks and starting the engine, the pilot received clearance to taxi. He proceeded to taxi straight ahead as per his normal routine. During this movement, the left wingtip of the Pilatus contacted the right wingtip and aileron of the King Air. The Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer (AFISO) informed the pilot of the collision, and he stopped the aircraft.
Damage
The Pilatus sustained cracked paint on its left wingtip. The King Air suffered damage to its right aileron and wingtip.
Pilot Information
The commander of M-YBLS held a Private Pilot's Licence and was 80 years old. He had accumulated 6,621 total flying hours, of which 3,546 were on the Pilatus PC-12 type. His recent flying experience included 9 hours in the last 90 days and 3 hours in the last 28 days.
Cause
The pilot assessed that the collision occurred because he followed his normal routine and did not monitor the wingtip after noting the unusual parking angle. He indicated that he should have instructed ground crew to reposition the aircraft or requested marshalling out of the parking area.