NAKNEK, AK, USA
N38186
Piper PA-32-300
The pilot had landed on the east/west runway at the rural airport, and was back-taxiing to a ramp/roadway area. The ramp area is 'L' shaped, and located between the approach end of the east/west runway, and the approach end of a second, northwest/southeast runway. The pilot was planning to stop the airplane near a waiting school bus that was parked in the ramp area. Movement through the area is not controlled. A second airplane was waiting in the same ramp area to taxi to a fuel pump. Its engine was running at idle power. The pilot of the second airplane reported he planned to wait until the accident airplane was clear of the runway before proceeding, and did not intend to fly. The pilot of the accident airplane taxied into the ramp area, but did not see the second airplane. The pilot of the accident airplane reported that flat light conditions made it difficult to see the second airplane that was painted white and blue. The left wing of the accident airplane collided with the turning propeller of the second airplane. The Alaska Airport/Facility Directory contains remarks about the airport that include the airport is unattended. It says, in part: 'The runway condition is not monitored. Uncontrolled vehicular traffic on runways. No line of sight between runways or waterways. Aircraft on east side of runway 14/32 may be in safety area.'
On February 26, 1998, about 0840 Alaska standard time, a Piper PA-300 airplane, N38186, sustained substantial damage after colliding with another airplane while taxiing from landing at the Naknek Airport, Naknek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) on-demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by King Air Inc., Naknek. The certificated commercial pilot, and six passengers, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. VFR company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at the South Naknek Number 2 Airport, at 0838. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on February 26, 1998, at 0905, the pilot reported he landed on runway 26, and was back-taxiing to the ramp area. The ramp area is located between the approach ends of runways 26, and 14, and the pilot said he was planning to stop the airplane near a waiting school bus. A second airplane, a Piper PA-32-300, N4042R, was waiting in the same ramp area to taxi to a fuel pump. The engine was running at idle power. The pilot of N4042R reported he planned to wait until N38186 was clear of the runway before proceeding. The pilot of N38186 indicated he taxied into the ramp area, but did not see N4042R. The pilot said that flat light conditions made it difficult to see N4042R that was painted white and light blue. The left wing of N38186 collided with the turning propeller of N4042R. N38186 received damage to the leading edge of the wing. N4042R received minor paint damage to its propeller. The pilot of N4042R stated he was taking his airplane to be refueled, and that there was no intent for flight. The Naknek Airport has two gravel surface runways. Runway 08/26, and runway 14/32. A ramp/roadway area between the approach end of runway 26, and the approach end of runway 14, is "L" shaped. Several buildings, the airport beacon, and the airport windsock, are located along the south and west sides of the "L" shaped area. Movement through the area is not controlled. The Alaska Airport/Facility Directory contains remarks about the airport that include: "Unattended. Caution: Runway condition not monitored, recommend visual inspection prior to using. Aircraft parked along entire length of the east side. Road parallel to, and 45 feet east of runway 32 centerline. Uncontrolled vehicular traffic on runways. No line of sight between runways or waterways. ...Aircraft on east side of runway 14/32 may be in safety area. Runway 08/26 and runway 14/32 marked with reflective cones and threshold panels."
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout. Factors in the accident were flat lighting conditions, and inadequate airport facilities.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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