N417CW

On December 18, 2004, at 1230 eastern standard time, a Raytheon Beechjet 400A, N417CW, operated by Flight Options Inc., was substantially damaged after being struck by a ground service vehicle, while parked at the Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF), Cleveland, Ohio. The two certificated airline transport pilots were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the positioning flight destined for Fort Myers, Florida. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the operator of the ground service vehicle, he was driving towards the airplane to unplug the ground power unit after the pilots started the engines. As the vehicle was being positioned around the airplane, a tow bar, which was placed on the vehicle, began to slip off. The vehicle operator attempted to grab the tow bar and steer the vehicle at the same time, but fell off the vehicle onto the ground. The unoccupied vehicle continued towards the airplane, striking the right wing.