Summary
On November 23, 2011, a Cessna 550 (N544PS) was involved in an incident near Moline, IL. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the parked, unoccupied airplane while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the guidance provided by the marshaller.
After landing in dark night conditions, the pilot was taxing the airplane with the airplane's taxi lights illuminated on a ramp while paying attention to the ramp marshaller. The pilot originally thought the marshaller would have him park directly in the position next to the fixed based operator; however, the marshaller had the pilot execute a left 180-degree turn and park with the cabin door facing the door of the building. While watching the marshaller outside the right cockpit window, the pilot lost sight of a parked, unoccupied airplane, which he observed when he began entering the ramp. The pilot then noticed the parked airplane and attempted to stop; however, his airplane's left wing made contact with the parked airplane's forward fuselage and nose landing gear.
This incident is documented in NTSB report CEN12CA084. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N544PS.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the parked, unoccupied airplane while taxiing. Contributing to the accident was the guidance provided by the marshaller.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
After landing in dark night conditions, the pilot was taxing the airplane with the airplane's taxi lights illuminated on a ramp while paying attention to the ramp marshaller. The pilot originally thought the marshaller would have him park directly in the position next to the fixed based operator; however, the marshaller had the pilot execute a left 180-degree turn and park with the cabin door facing the door of the building. While watching the marshaller outside the right cockpit window, the pilot lost sight of a parked, unoccupied airplane, which he observed when he began entering the ramp. The pilot then noticed the parked airplane and attempted to stop; however, his airplane's left wing made contact with the parked airplane's forward fuselage and nose landing gear. Postaccident examination of the airplane showed the left wing was crushed and bent. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane prior to the contact with the parked airplane.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12CA084