Incident Overview
On 1 April 2001 at approximately 1020 UTC, a Piper PA-28-161, registration G-BNOP, sustained damage to the leading edge of its right wing while taxiing at Caernarfon Airport in North Wales. The aircraft had just completed a cross-country flight from Blackpool, Lancashire, landing on Runway 26.
Sequence of Events
The pilot, a 25-year-old private pilot with 102 total flying hours (52 on type), was unfamiliar with Caernarfon and requested taxi guidance from the Air Ground radio facility. As the Air Ground operator is not qualified to issue ATC instructions, the pilot was advised to turn left "at the end of the runway."
The pilot observed that the taxiway at the end of Runway 26 appeared in poor condition and attempted to query the advice but received no reply. He proceeded to the end of the runway and turned left. While maneuvering over the rough surface, he did not notice a fence on the right side, and the right wing struck a fence post, damaging the wing leading edge.
Contributory Factors
The taxiway at the end of Runway 26 at Caernarfon was disused, and a fence had been erected in its center, effectively halving its width. A marker indicating bad ground was normally placed at the entrance to this taxiway, but on this occasion it had collapsed and was not seen by the pilot.
Subsequent Actions
Following this incident, the airfield management decided that, when appropriate, Air Ground operators should include the fact that the taxiway at the end of Runway 26 is disused when transmitting taxi information to pilots.
Aircraft and Personnel
The aircraft was a 1987 Piper PA-28-161 powered by a Lycoming O-320-D3G piston engine. The pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence and had flown 8 hours in the last 90 days, including 4 hours in the last 28 days. There were no injuries to the sole crew member or the two passengers.