What happened
On February 10, 2015, at approximately 14:10 local time, a private Maule M-4-210C, registration HB-ETR, was involved in a ground collision at an airfield in Payerne. After completing two go-arounds, the pilot attempted to taxi the aircraft to a parking position adjacent to a stationary Cessna 150D, registration HB-CMS.
While the approach and landing phases were completed without issue, the pilot initiated a left turn toward the parked aircraft. As the pilot brought the aircraft to a halt roughly 20 meters to the left of the stationary Cessna, the HB-ETR suddenly began to slide. The movement became uncontrollable, causing the Maule to rotate into the parked aircraft. The impact resulted in the propeller of the Maule cutting through the left wing of the Cessna.
The investigation
An investigation by the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (SUST) focused on the sequence of events during the taxiing phase. The inquiry established that the collision occurred while the pilot was maneuvering toward a parking spot. The investigation examined the physical damage to both aircraft, noting that the HB-ETR sustained damage to its propeller, engine, and windshield, while the HB-CMS suffered a severed left wing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the collision was the sudden sliding of the Maule aircraft while coming to a stop.
- The movement led to an unstoppable rotation of the aircraft toward the parked Cessna.
- There were no injuries to the occupants of the moving aircraft, though one person in the stationary aircraft was reported as lightly or not injured.