What happened
On 22 August 1999, a modified Stampe SV4A, registration G-AZNK, was participating in a private flight at Redhill Aerodrome in Surrey. The aircraft was initially parked on the grass, and the pilot requested permission from the Tower to taxi to the holding point for Runway 08. At the time, the holding area was heavily congested with several other aircraft awaiting departure.
Upon receiving clearance for an immediate line-up, the pilot began taxiing toward the runway. During this maneuver, the pilot's attention was divided by the surrounding aircraft and the limited space available for movement. Consequently, the aircraft struck an 18-inch square marker board that had not been detected. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger. The collision caused two dents to the aircraft's landing gear strut and minor damage to the aerodrome sign.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the taxiing maneuver and the environmental conditions at the holding point. The inquiry established that the pilot was navigating a crowded area, which restricted the ability to maneuver laterally to maintain a clear view of the ground ahead.
Findings
Several contributing factors were identified in the collision. The pilot noted that his lack of experience operating tailwheel aircraft played a role in the incident. Additionally, the pilot's unfamiliarity with the specific layout of Redhill Aerodrome and the high level of congestion at the holding point contributed to the error. The density of other aircraft at the runway threshold limited the pilot's room for maneuver, making it difficult to monitor the terrain for obstacles while navigating the crowded taxiway.