N4108S

On January 24, 1996, at 2008 eastern standard time, a Beech 58 Baron, N4108S, operated by Welch Aviation, Incorporated, of Alpena, Michigan, and piloted by an airline transport rated pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a parked airplane as it taxied onto a parking ramp. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight had departed Grand Rapids, Michigan, exact time unknown.

The pilot said he taxied onto the airport's west ramp from taxiway "C." He said he turned his airplane 60 degrees to the left after taxiing onto the ramp. According to the pilot, his intention was to line up with his intended parking area next to the hangar's office area. The pilot said he did not see Learjet N44CP that his airplane collided with until it was too late to stop. He said the Learjet was parked directly in front of the hangar's office section that was not illuminated by the hangar lights.

The hangar the pilot was taxiing toward had about 15 flood lights along its roof line which shine down on portions of the ramp. The hangar has four doors on either side of an office area. According to the pilot, these are doors to individual aircraft bays. Each door has windows across their front that are below the door's middle section. Airplanes parked in front of these doors were visible to the pilot.

The office area is located in the middle of the hangar. The office area and adjacent ramp are not lighted. According to the pilot, the Learjet was a dark color and blended into the dark area on the hangar and ramp.

The pilot of N4108S said the flood lights, falling snow, and the Learjet's position made it impossible to see the Learjet. The pilot said his airplane's taxi light was illuminated and caused light reflection off the falling snow. He said the flood lamps also caused light reflection with the falling snow. The pilot said there were no taxiway or ramp guidance lines to aid in taxiing and parking.

A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) confirmed the pilot's statement about hangar flood lights. He said the lights were about 40 feet above the ground. The PMI said there were no markings on the taxiway or ramp that could provide guidance to arriving and departing airplanes.