On June 15, 2017, a PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION PA-34-200 (registration HB-LEM) was involved in an aviation accident near Zürich Flughafen (LSZH), ZH, CH. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collision occurred due to the contact between the wingtip of the moving Piper PA-34 and the wingtip of a stationary Cirrus SR22 during taxi operations. This summary draws on records from the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB / SUST).
A training flight involving a Piper PA-34 resulted in a minor collision with a stationary Cirrus SR22 while taxiing at Zurich Airport.
What happened
On June 15, 2017, at approximately 09:05 local time, a Piper PA-3/4-200, registered as HB-LEM, was involved in a ground collision at Zurich Airport (LSZH). The aircraft, which was conducting a training flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) toward Bern, was taxiing from holding point P1 toward runway 28. During this maneuver, the right wingtip of the Piper collided with the left wingtip of a Cirrus SR22 that was stationary at the same holding point.
The investigation
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST) conducted a summary investigation into the incident. The inquiry focused on the movement of the aircraft during the taxi phase and the positioning of the two aircraft at holding point P1. The investigation confirmed that the collision occurred while the Piper was in motion and the Cirrus was at a standstill.
Findings
The collision resulted in light damage to the right wingtip of the HB-LEM.
There were no injuries to the crew or any third parties involved.
The primary cause of the incident was the collision between the wingtips of the two aircraft while maneuvering through the taxiway holding point.
Probable cause
The collision occurred due to the contact between the wingtip of the moving Piper PA-34 and the wingtip of a stationary Cirrus SR22 during taxi operations.
