Incident
On 1 July 2001 at 1145 UTC, a YAK-50 (registration RA01293) was taxiing at RAF Waddington, Lincoln, as part of a seven-aircraft display team. While moving along the eastern taxiway, the aircraft came to a sudden halt after colliding with a parked car. The propeller struck the roof of the car from behind, causing considerable damage to both the propeller and the engine.
Aircraft and Conditions
The aircraft, manufactured in 1985, was powered by a single Ivchenko M-14P piston engine. The pilot, a 40-year-old private pilot with 611 total hours (53 on type), was the sole occupant and was not injured. Weather conditions were reported as surface wind 360° at 10 kt, visibility 10 km, scattered cloud at 5,000 ft, temperature 20°C.
Sequence of Events
The team had received taxi clearance from Bravo dispersal to the holding point of Runway 21. The lead aircraft used the right side of the taxiway, and the second aircraft, per team practice, used the left side. The second aircraft's pilot alerted ATC after coming to a sudden halt. After securing the aircraft, the pilot discovered it had contacted a parked car located 1.5 metres from the left edge of the taxiway. The car contained two occupants, neither of whom was injured.
Observations
The aircraft type has limited forward visibility on the ground. The pilot stated that surface wind conditions made weaving to achieve a better view difficult. Video footage showed the pilot had been looking out to his right for about one minute before the contact with the car on his left. The pilot also expected the taxiway to be clear as the formation had been cleared to taxi.
The car was being used by the ground support crew of a visiting display aircraft. The driver had received an airfield driving briefing. The Airfield Driving Orders state that vehicles are not to be halted on the taxiway except at traffic lights, by order of ATC, aircraft marshallers, or a security patrol acting on behalf of ATC.