What happened
On 1 July 2001, a YAK-50, registration RA01293, was participating in an air display at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. The aircraft was part of a seven-plane formation that had received taxi clearance from the Bravo dispersal area to the holding point of Runway 21. Following the team's standard procedure, the lead aircraft occupied the right side of the eastern taxiway, while the second aircraft occupied the left side.
During the taxi, the second aircraft came to an abrupt stop. The pilot immediately notified Air Traffic Control of a collision. Upon inspection, it was found that the aircraft had struck a car parked on the taxiway, approximately 1.5 metres from the left edge. The impact, which occurred as the propeller struck the roof of the vehicle from behind, caused broken propeller and engine damage. No injuries were sustained by the pilot or the occupants of the car.
The investigation
The investigation established that the car, used by ground support personnel for a visiting display team, had stopped on the taxiway. At the moment of impact, the car's rear passenger had already disembarked and was standing beside the taxiway.
Analysis of video footage revealed that the pilot had been looking toward the right side of the taxiway for approximately one minute prior to the collision. The pilot noted that the limited forward visibility inherent to this aircraft type, combined with wind conditions that made maneuvering to improve sightlines difficult, contributed to the incident. Furthermore, the pilot had operated under the assumption that the taxiway would be clear, as the formation had been cleared for movement.
Findings
- The car was stationary on the taxiway, in violation of Airfield Driving Orders which prohibit vehicles from halting on taxiways unless directed by ATC, marshallers, or security patrols.
- The pilot's visibility was restricted by the aircraft's design and hindered by wind conditions.
- The pilot was focused on the right side of the taxiway, leaving the left side unmonitored.