Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 208 near Baltimore, MD — 2015-02-24

Final reportERA15LA135
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Date
2015-02-24
Location
Baltimore, MD, USA
Airport
BWI
Aircraft
CESSNA 208
Registration
N989FX
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Taxi

Probable cause

The ground service vehicle operator's failure to yield right of way to the airplane due to distraction, which necessitated the pilot's use of reverse thrust and braking to avoid a collision and resulted in the airplane's empennage striking the ground.

NTSB narrative

The airline transport pilot was taxiing the airplane to the parking ramp after a night flight. As he approached a point where the taxiway intersected a service road, a ground service vehicle crossed in front of the airplane. To avoid a collision, the pilot applied the brakes and used reverse thrust, which stopped the airplane about 3 ft from the vehicle. The rapid application of braking and reverse thrust resulted in the airplane rocking backward and the empennage striking the ground, substantially damaging the airframe. The operator of the ground service vehicle reported that he was distracted while he attempted to retrieve a security badge and did not see the airplane as it approached the intersection. State law required that ground vehicles always yield right of way to taxiing aircraft.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided hard braking and reverse thrust when the ground vehicle approached.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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