N151SA

On March 5, 1999, at 0603 mountain standard time, a Swearingen SA226TC, N151SA, operating as Superior Aviation (HKA) flight 1828, and another Swearingen SA226TC, N328BA, operating as HKA flight 1810, both owned and operated by Superior Aviation Inc., of Iron Mountain, Michigan, collided while taxiing at Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado. The airline transport rated pilot of N151SA and the commercial pilot of N328BA were not injured. Both aircraft were being operated as non-scheduled domestic cargo flights under Title 14 CFR Part 135, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. IFR flight plans were filed for N151SA to Cheyenne, Wyoming, and N328BA to Rifle, Colorado.

According to the pilot of N328BA, the aircraft's wings and tail section were partially deiced at the ramp by ramp personnel before they ran out of deicing fluid. He received taxi clearance from ramp control and asked the deicing crew to meet him on the south end of taxiway A to finish deicing the remainder of the aircraft. He received instructions to hold short on taxiway A, and to contact ground control. Prior to reaching the taxiway hold short lines, he contacted ground control and received a clearance to taxiway to runway 17R via taxiway M. He stated that because he received clearance to taxi to the runway, he did plan on stopping at the hold short lines.

Immediately after receiving his taxi clearance, he realized he had forgotten to advise ramp control that he needed to deice the aircraft. At that time, he looked up and noticed that N151SA had stopped in front of him. He stated that he applied brake pressure, but was unable to stop. Upon impact, the left propeller of N328BA struck the tail section of N151SA, causing substantial damage to the left side of the fuselage of N151SA extending from the cargo door aft. In addition, the right flap of N151SA was damaged by N328BA's nose section. N328BA received minor damage to the left propeller, the left forward side of the fuselage, and the nose wheel well.

According to the pilot of N151SA, while parked at the gate prior to taxiing, he contacted ramp control for taxi instructions. He was instructed to taxi to runway 8 via taxiway SC to taxiway A, to hold short of the taxiway hold short lines, and then to contact ground control. Upon reaching the hold short lines, he contacted ground control and was advised to continue holding, then to follow a Cessna 404 in front of him to runway 8 via taxiway M. He taxied across the hold short lines, and stopped behind the Cessna. While at a complete stop, he felt the airplane being "violently shaken" for a short time. He verified that both engines were operating, then shut down the aircraft and notified ground control of the accident.

The pilot of N328BA stated in a telephone interview with the Investigator-In-Charge (IIC) that while taxiing, he performed a brake test and observed no discrepancies. The pilot stated in an interview with an FAA inspector following the accident that when he applied the brakes prior to impacting N151SA, he felt pressure and the aircraft slowed down, but "did not stop normally." Immediately following the accident, a brake test was performed in the presence of the IIC and two FAA inspectors. A tug was connected to N328BA, with the assistance of ramp personnel seated in both the aircraft and the tug. The tug operator attempted to pull the aircraft forward, while the aircraft operator applied brake pressure. The aircraft's brakes held the aircraft in place and were found to be operational.

Toxicological examinations were performed on the pilots of N151SA and N328BA immediately following the accident. The examination results on both pilots were negative.