Incident Overview
On 4 September 2013 at 1230 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BSVG, was involved in a wingtip collision with a parked Rockwell Commander, registration G-BYKB, at Perranporth Airfield, Cornwall. The aircraft was on a private flight with one pilot and one passenger; both occupants were uninjured. The Piper sustained a dent to its left wingtip, and the parked aircraft also incurred wingtip damage.
Sequence of Events
The Piper had just landed and was taxiing along the perimeter track past the hangar. At that time, the Rockwell Commander was parked outside the hangar and was unattached to a ground handling tug. During taxi, the left wingtip of G-BSVG contacted the left wingtip of G-BYKB. Upon impact, the Piper rotated left through approximately 45° before coming to a stop. The engine was then shut down, and the occupants vacated the aircraft without injury.
Pilot's Comments
The pilot, who held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 131 hours of flying experience (all on type), reported that he considered himself to have been distracted while taxiing. He stated that he was making a radio call and looking ahead to locate the airfield fuel point. As a result, neither he nor his passenger noticed the close proximity of the parked Rockwell Commander.
Damage and Outcome
The only damage to G-BSVG was a dented left wingtip; no other structural or operational issues were reported. The parked aircraft also suffered wingtip damage. No injuries occurred, and the incident was reported by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report Form.