What happened
During a repositioning flight intended to move an aircraft from Southend Airport to Biggin Hill, a mechanical failure occurred during the taxi phase. The aircraft, which had been stationary at Southend for an extended period without undergoing routine maintenance, experienced a malfunction in its nosewheel steering system. This loss of directional control caused the plane to veer toward the left side of the taxiway.
During this uncontrolled movement, the aircraft struck a parked British Air Ferrie Vickers 806 Viscount, identified by registration G-APIM. The impact resulted in significant damage to both involved aircraft, rendering them both a total loss. Despite the severity of the collision, the two crew members on board the moving aircraft were able to exit the cockpit without sustaining any injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the steering failure was linked to hydraulic issues within the system. Specifically, corrosion inside the emergency brake accumulator had permitted nitrogen to migrate into the primary hydraulic circuit. This degradation was attributed to the aircraft being left outdoors at the airport for a lengthy duration without being subjected to necessary servicing or maintenance protocols.