N730C

On March 11, 1998, at 1940 central standard time, a Fairchild SA227-AC airplane, N730C, registered to Sterling Credit Corporation and operated by Austin Express as Flight 215, was substantially damage while taxiing at the Tyler Pounds Field Airport near Tyler, Texas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an IFR plan was filed for the scheduled Title 14 CFR Part 121 night flight. The airline transport rated captain, first officer, and sole passenger were not injured. The flight departed Austin, Texas, about 53 minutes prior to the accident.

A golf cart being used as a lead-in vehicle, was operating in vicinity of the aircraft. According to witnesses, the golf cart's driver got out of the cart and the cart continued moving. The driver attempted to stop the cart; however, she was unsuccessful. The cart circled an aircraft 2 or 3 times then veered off and collided with a fence. It ricocheted off the fence, and headed towards the taxiing aircraft and collided with its left propeller.

The pilots of the taxiing aircraft reported that after landing they were proceeding to the Austin Express gate. When they were approximately 50 feet from their intended stopping point, they observed a golf cart on Tyler Jets property that appeared to be paralleling the fence. At that time they did not perceive it as a hazard. The golf cart then made an "immediate" change of direction and headed towards their aircraft. After the cart made the change of direction, the pilots observed that the cart was unmanned. They immediately initiated emergency shutdown procedures; however, the cart collided with the left engine's propeller before it could be shutdown.

Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector revealed that the left propeller was damaged, and 10 square feet of fuselage dented. Further examination of the dent by the operator revealed that stringers and longerons needed replacement.