Summary
On December 31, 2012, a Raytheon Aircraft Company A36 (N256DB) was involved in an incident near Rutland, VT. All 4 people 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 control of the airplane while maneuvering on a snow-packed surface after landing, which resulted in a collision with a fuel truck.
According to the pilot, after landing he taxied the airplane to the fixed base operator in order to use the external heater plugs on the ramp. In a written statement the pilot reported the airplane approached a parked fuel truck and he initiated a left turn; however, due to snow packed ramp conditions the airplane continued straight. He subsequently added more power and left rudder to get the airplane to turn. The right wing tip impacted the fuel truck grounding wire wheel. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing spar on the outboard 3 feet of the wing with one wing rib exposed. No other damage was noted on the airplane.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA13CA100. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N256DB.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while maneuvering on a snow-packed surface after landing, which resulted in a collision with a fuel truck.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
According to the pilot, after landing he taxied the airplane to the fixed base operator in order to use the external heater plugs on the ramp. In a written statement the pilot reported the airplane approached a parked fuel truck and he initiated a left turn; however, due to snow packed ramp conditions the airplane continued straight. He subsequently added more power and left rudder to get the airplane to turn. The right wing tip impacted the fuel truck grounding wire wheel. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the right wing spar on the outboard 3 feet of the wing with one wing rib exposed. No other damage was noted on the airplane. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA13CA100