N552TC

MINR
None

Pilatus PC12S/N: 443

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
NTSB Number
GAA19CA079
Location
Mesa, AZ
Event ID
20181128X85901
Coordinates
33.307777, -111.655555
Aircraft Damage
MINR
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
7
Total Aboard
7

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to follow the air traffic controller’s instructions and his subsequent failure to maintain adequate lookout to see and avoid the other airplane on the taxiway. 

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
PILATUS
Serial Number
443
Engine Type
Turbo-prop
Year Built
2002
Model / ICAO
PC12PC12
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
12
FAA Model
PC-12/45

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
QUEST DIAGNOSTICS CLINICAL LABORATORIES INC
Address
159 AIR MUSEUM DR
City
READING
State / Zip Code
PA 19605-9470
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot of the Pilatus reported that after he received his IFR clearance from the local air traffic controller, he taxied from the ramp to the taxiway. While turning onto the taxiway, he was further instructed by the controller to give way to an airplane on the same taxiway. He acknowledged the instruction, "stopped" the airplane, looked left and saw a Cessna, which already passed him, so he looked right, did not see any other airplanes on the taxiway and continued to taxi. Shortly after, he realized that the propellers struck something, so he immediately shut down the airplane, deplaned, and realized that he struck another Cessna he did not see.

The flight instructor in the Cessna reported that, while the student pilot was taxiing back to the ramp, they were instructed by the local air traffic controller to follow company traffic while passing another airplane, to their left, "holding" short of the same taxiway. He then looked left outside of his window and saw a spinning propeller moving closer towards the airplane. He immediately grabbed the controls and hammered the right pedal, but the propeller of the other airplane struck their airplane's left wing.

The Pilatus sustained damage to the propellers. The Cessna sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The pilot and the flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation.

A video provided by the airport authority showed that the Pilatus taxied left on to the taxiway from the ramp without stopping. It also showed that there was another airplane, further down the taxiway.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA079