Factual Information
On 15 June 2006, at 15:00 UTC, a Boeing A-75N1 Stearman (registration N-55097) was involved in a ground incident at Mladá Boleslav Airport (LKMB). The pilot, a 59-year-old private individual holding a PPL with a valid SE rating and medical certificate, had landed earlier to participate in an event. After parking the aircraft near the fuel dispensing kiosk, he decided to taxi it to a hangar.
While taxiing along an asphalt path toward the hangar, the pilot focused on maintaining clearance from a parked Z 43 aircraft on the left. At the same time, several vehicles were parked on the right side of the apron near the AFIS dispatcher station. As the pilot proceeded, the right lower wing of the Stearman struck the right front pillar of a Škoda Superb (registration 5S0 5623), which was the closest vehicle. The impact dented the wing's leading edge and cracked the upper wing skin. The car's pillar was dented and the windshield cracked. No persons were injured.
The aircraft was a two-seat biplane powered by a Continental R-670-5 radial engine. The pilot had 940 total flight hours, with 350 on type. A breathalyzer test administered by the Police of Czech Republic was negative. The meteorological conditions were not a factor.
The apron had no visual markings or signage for aircraft or vehicle movements, and only a remnant of a white line was visible at the junction of the taxi path and the apron. The airport's regulations did not permit vehicle parking on the apron, yet cars were present.
Analysis
The pilot was experienced on the type and aware of the restricted forward visibility while taxiing. He chose to taxi to the hangar, knowing that obstacles including parked aircraft and vehicles were present. He directed his attention to the left to avoid the Z 43, but did not ensure sufficient clearance on the right. The parked vehicles were in violation of the airport's operating regulations.
Conclusions
The investigation commission determined that the pilot did not detect in time that the space available for entering the apron was insufficient. The cause was carelessness during taxiing around an obstacle formed by vehicles parked in violation of the airport regulations.