CESSNA 208B near Chicago, IL — 2015-11-03

Probable cause

The failure of the driver of the service vehicle to yield to the taxiing airplane, which resulted in a near-collision and tail strike.

NTSB narrative

After landing in night visual meteorological conditions, the commuter flight proceeded to taxi to the ramp. Upon coming to a service road perpendicular to the taxiway, a vehicle moved directly across the airplane's taxi path. The flight crew immediately applied brakes to stop. While braking, the airplane's tail rocked aft and struck the ground. The flight crew contacted ground control to inform them about the vehicle incident and resumed taxi to the ramp, and the driver of the vehicle radioed the tower, informing them that he had cut off an aircraft. An inspection of the airplane by the operator revealed structural damage to the aft pressure bulkhead resulting from the tail strike.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Human factors

First missed decision gate

The flight crew could have anticipated the vehicle's presence earlier.

NTSB coding

• Abrupt maneuver · Taxi-from runway

Evidence available

• Photos
• 6 docket documents

Docket documents6

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form
• FAA Inspector Statementinterview
• First Officer Statementinterview
• PIC Statementinterview
• Airport Diagram with Taxiwaysother
• Photo Arrayphotos

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