What happened
On 7 July 2002, a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II, registration F-GCPK, was involved in a ground collision at Jersey Airport. Following a private flight from France, the aircraft landed on Runway 27 and was instructed to taxi toward the Light Aircraft Grass Parking (LAGP) area near the Aero Club.
As the pilot proceeded along the block-paved access track, a fuel bowser was positioned nearby, refuelling another aircraft. The pilot attempted to navigate the track by following a yellow centreline to maintain position. While passing the vehicle, the aircraft's right wing tip made contact with the side of the bowser. The pilot immediately halted the aircraft, shut down the engines, and notified Air Traffic Control. While the aircraft sustained damage to its right wing, the fuel tanker only suffered superficial damage, and no fuel leaks occurred. No injuries were reported to the two occupants.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the nature of the access track and the pilot's navigation. It was established that the block-paved surface between holding point H and the LAGP is not a formally designated taxiway and does not meet the standard clearance protections required for official taxiways. The yellow line present on the surface was intended only as an advisory aid for pilots using the hardened surface, rather than a guarantee of obstacle clearance.
Investigators found that the pilot had interpreted the yellow centreline as a means of ensuring sufficient clearance from surrounding objects. Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the responsibilities of pilots regarding lookout and obstacle avoidance as outlined in the Visual Aids Handbook (CAP 637).