Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout during a night taxi. Contributing to the accident was the improper parking of a ground vehicle partially onto the taxiway.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, he was preparing to depart the non-towered airport under visual flight rules back to his home airport. The pilot contacted flight service, and subsequent to engine start, began to taxi to the runway about 30 minutes after sunset. While taxiing, the airplane’s left wing impacted an unlit, unoccupied truck, resulting in substantial damage. A review of security camera footage revealed that the truck was parked partly on the taxiway and that the airplane was on the taxiway centerline with the landing light illuminated when the impact occurred. An audio recording of a conversation between flight service and the assistant airport manager revealed that a Notice to Airmen was in effect at the time of the accident, closing the taxiways and runway, but only pertained to aircraft 13,500 pounds and above. Another Notice to Airmen, closing the taxiways to all aircraft, took effect about 1 hour after the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA10CA479