After landing at the airport in Fort Worth, Texas, the pilot was taxing the Grumman American AA-5 on the dry asphalt.
During the taxi, he observed a motorcycle on the taxiway coming toward the airplane.
While focusing on the motorcycle, the right wing hit several garbage cans, the airplane turned to the right, and then hit a hangar door.
The airplane came to rest upright, and the pilot was able to get out of the airplane without further incident.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing.
This was the pilot’s first visit to the airport, and he reported he did not visually observe the garbage cans during the taxi, as they were in an area that was shadowed from a hangar.
According to the FAA Chart Supplement for the airport, the remarks section states, “uncontrolled vehicle tfc inv of hangars and on twys.”
Probable Cause: The distraction of the pilot during the taxi, resulting in a ground collision.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This November 2023 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
Perhaps he was a bit fast in his taxi? I only say that as the garbage cans caused his airplane to pivot right. Obviously just speculating.
Feel badly for him. Glad he was ok.
Read the actual NTSB report: It was his impact with the corner of the hangar that spun him to the right, not the trash cans…
No mention that there was a statement from the driver of the motor cycle? If that is the case, like no one could find the motor cycle, then it is possible there was no motor cycle?
Just saying?!