Monday, January 13, 2020

Ground Collision: GippsAero GA8, N524AV; accident occurred May 01, 2019 at Bethel Airport (PABE), Alaska


Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska


Location: Bethel, AK
Accident Number:GAA19CA239 
Date & Time: 05/01/2019, 2018 AKD
Registration: N524AV
Aircraft: Gippsland GA8
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Ground collision
Injuries: 7 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 135: Air Taxi & Commuter - Scheduled 

Analysis

The pilot reported that, while taxiing to the tie-down area after landing, during a "tight" right turn, the airplane's left wingtip struck a shipping container.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing spar.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a shipping container while taxiing.

Findings

Personnel issues
Monitoring environment - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues
Object/animal/substance - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Taxi-from runway
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Ground collision (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 24, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/11/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 02/27/2019
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 783 hours (Total, all aircraft), 129 hours (Total, this make and model), 733 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 123 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 63 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Gippsland
Registration: N524AV
Model/Series: GA8 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2015
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: GA8-15-214
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 7
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 04/15/2019, AAIP
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4437 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-K1A5
Registered Owner: Global Air Concepts Llc
Rated Power: 300 hp
Operator: Global Air Concepts Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135) 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PABE, 102 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 0353 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 32°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 3900 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 150°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 9°C / 5°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Tuntutuliak, AK (A61)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: Company VFR
Destination: Bethel, AK (BET)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 0739 AKS
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Bethel (BET)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 128 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: N/A
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width:
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 6 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 7 None
Latitude, Longitude: 60.778611, -161.837222 (est)