Sanford, FL, USA
N220CM
Cessna 650
The pilot stated that after landing the airplane at night, the taxiway that he normally used was occupied, so he taxied toward the ramp via an alternate taxiway. As he approached the ramp, there were four or five airplanes on the ramp, and the pilot asked the copilot if the area was clear on the right side. The pilot was referring to the ground path, but the copilot thought he was referring to the other airplanes. When the copilot replied that they were clear, the pilot turned right. The airplane then exited the taxiway onto grass and the nosewheel struck concrete, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage structure above the nose landing gear. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
On March 14, 2019, about 2215 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 650, N220CM, was substantially damaged during taxi at Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB), Orlando, Florida. The two airline transport pilots and two passengers were not injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the flight that departed Yeager Airport (CRW), Charleston, West Virginia, about 2100. The pilot stated that after landing, the taxiway that he normally used had an airplane on it, so he taxied toward the ramp via an alternate taxiway. As he approached the ramp, there were four or five airplanes on the ramp and the pilot asked the copilot if the area was clear on the right side. The pilot was referring to the ground and the copilot thought he was referring to the other airplanes. When the copilot replied that they were clear, the pilot turned right. The airplane then exited the taxiway on to grass and the nosewheel struck concrete before the airplane came to rest. The pilot added that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the structure above the nose landing gear and the pressure bulkhead.
The pilot's failure to keep the airplane on the taxiway while taxiing at night. Contributing to the accident was a miscommunication between the flight crewmembers about the position of the airplane.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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