Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary CHI94LA107

KANSAS CITY, MO, USA

Aircraft #1

N90CA

BEECH 18S

Analysis

The cargo flight had received clearance to taxi to the UPS cargo ramp. At a point where the taxiway crosses an airport vehicular access road the pilot saw lights and a fast moving automobile coming from his left. He attempted to turn the airplane to the right to avoid a collision, but the airport police vehicle struck and collapsed the left main landing gear. The wing of the airplane came to rest on the vehicle. Witnesses reported the automobile was travelling at a high rate of speed and did not yield to the airplane. The driver of the automobile stated she did not see the airplane until the last minute.

Factual Information

On March 14, 1994, at 2045 central standard time, a Beech 18S, N90CA, operated by Cape Central Airlines, Cape Girardeaux, Missouri, sustained substantial damage when it was struck by an airport police vehicle at the Kansas City International Airport, Kansas City, Missouri. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The airport safety officer, who was the driver of the automobile, received minor injuries. The airplane had just completed a cargo flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 135, and was taxiing to the UPS cargo ramp when the mishap occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an IFR flight plan was filed for the flight. The pilot received clearance from ground control to taxi to the UPS ramp after landing. The airplane was on taxiway B-7, which leads to the UPS ramp, when the accident occurred. The pilot reported he saw lights and a fast moving car to his left and attempted to turn the airplane to the right to avoid a collision. The automobile was on Ottawa Avenue, an airport access road which crosses taxiway B-7. The automobile went under the left wing of the airplane, and struck and collapsed the left main landing gear. The airplane came to rest on the automobile. Witnesses on the UPS ramp reported the automobile was southbound on Ottawa Avenue at a high rate of speed and did not yield to the airplane. The airport police officer driving the automobile stated: "I didn't see the aircraft until the last moment, and upon impact I laid down on the seat and that probably saved me."

Probable Cause and Findings

the failure of the driver of the ground vehicle to exercise proper visual lookout.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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