Incident Details
On 9 April 1999 at 1121 hours UTC, a Piper PA-38-112 (registration G-BNXV, year of manufacture 1979, powered by one Lycoming O-235-L2A piston engine) was operating a private flight with one pilot and one passenger on board. After a local flight, the pilot landed on Runway 23 at Teesside Airport, vacated the runway via Taxiway Bravo, and returned the aircraft to its parking area. Neither the pilot nor the passenger reported any unusual events during the taxi.
Discovery of Damage
Later that day, during a pre-flight inspection for a subsequent flight, another pilot noticed damage to the left wingtip. An internal investigation was initiated. The combined navigation and strobe light fitting from G-BNXV was subsequently found beside a fence that had been positioned along Taxiway Bravo while airfield surface repair work was in progress.
Airport Works and NOTAM
At the time, the Airport Authority had restricted the use of Taxiway Bravo to aircraft with a wingspan of less than 23 metres. The old centreline marking had been blacked out and a new centreline painted. This information was circulated via a NOTAM. The wingspan of G-BNXV is 10.36 metres, well within the restriction.
Pilot Background
The pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence, aged 47, with 156 total flying hours, of which 68 were on type. His recent flying experience included 9 hours in the last 90 days and 7 hours in the last 28 days.
Outcome
The damage to the aircraft was minor and confined to the left wingtip. No injuries were reported among the crew or passenger. The pilot was unaware of any incident until informed by the Flying Club later that day.