Aviation Accident Summary ERA10CA382

New York, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N905LP

GULFSTREAM GIV

Analysis

According to the first officer, the airplane was being directed to the parking area by a marshaler, who was positioned in front and to the left of the airplane. The first officer looked out his window to observe the right wing's clearance from a blast fence, but could not see the wing tip due to the sun's position behind the airplane. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the captain stated that he knew the wing was close to the fence, but the marshaler was signaling to continue. The airplane's right wing tip then impacted a light pole inside the blast fence, resulting in substantial damage. The captain stated that prior to impact, the marshaler never signaled for the flight crew to stop. The marshaler stated to the FAA inspector that she attempted to signal the captain to stop, but his head was turned to the right. The FAA inspector also reported that the first officer never advised the captain to stop the airplane or use caution.

Factual Information

According to the first officer, the airplane was being directed to the parking area by one marshaler, who was positioned in front of, and to the left of the airplane. The first officer looked out his window to determine the right wing's clearance from a blast fence, but could not see the wingtip due to the sun's position behind the airplane. According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the captain stated that he knew the wing was "close" to the fence, but the marshaler was signaling to continue. The airplane's right wingtip then impacted a light pole inside the blast fence, resulting in substantial damage. The captain stated that prior to impact, the marshaler never signaled them to stop. The marshaler stated to the FAA inspector that she attempted to signal the captain to stop, but his head "was turned to the right." The FAA inspector also reported that the first officer never advised the captain to stop the airplane or use caution in the "tight area."

Probable Cause and Findings

The flight crew’s failure to maintain adequate wing tip clearance from a light pole during taxi.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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