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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

January 25, 1996 · Beech 58 · N4108S

Yipsilanti, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 25, 1996
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Yipsilanti, MI
Aircraft
Beech 58
Tail Number
N4108S
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI96LA081

The pilot was taxiing onto a parking ramp when his airplane collided with a parked airplane. The pilot said a hangar on the ramp's edge had 15 floodlights along its top edge, and a dark area on its middle section. He said the flood lights, his airplane's taxilight, and falling snow caused light reflection that made it difficult to see the parked airplane. He said the dark color of the airplane his airplane struck blended in with the hangar's dark area. An FAA PMI confirmed the pilot's statement about the floodlights and the fact that no taxiway or ramp markings were available.

NTSB Probable Cause

was the pilot not maintaining visual separation with the parked airplanes. A factor in this accident was the pilot's over- confidence in his personal ability to taxi onto the parking ramp with the snowfall he was encountering.

Full Narrative

On January 24, 1996, at 2008 eastern standard time, a Beech 58 Baron, N4108S, operated by Welch Aviation, Incorporated, of Alpena, Michigan, and piloted by an airline transport rated pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with a parked airplane as it taxied onto a parking ramp. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 135 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight had departed Grand Rapids, Michigan, exact time unknown. The pilot said he taxied onto the airport's west ramp from taxiway "C." He said he turned his airplane 60 degrees to the left after taxiing onto the ramp. According to the pilot, his intention was to line up with his intended parking area next to the hangar's office area. The pilot said he did not see Learjet N44CP that his airplane collided with until it was too late to stop. He said the Learjet was parked directly in front of the hangar's office section that was not illuminated by the hangar lights. The hangar the pilot was taxiing toward had about 15 flood lights along its roof line which shine down on portions of the ramp. The hangar has four doors on either side of an office area. According to the pilot, these are doors to individual aircraft bays. Each door has windows across their front that are below the door's middle section. Airplanes parked in front of these doors were visible to the pilot. The office area is located in the middle of the hangar. The office area and adjacent ramp are not lighted. According to the pilot, the Learjet was a dark color and blended into the dark area on the hangar and ramp. The pilot of N4108S said the flood lights, falling snow, and the Learjet's position made it impossible to see the Learjet. The pilot said his airplane's taxi light was illuminated and caused light reflection off the falling snow. He said the flood lamps also caused light reflection with the falling snow. The pilot said there were no taxiway or ramp guidance lines to aid in taxiing and parking. A Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector (PMI) confirmed the pilot's statement about hangar flood lights. He said the lights were about 40 feet above the ground. The PMI said there were no markings on the taxiway or ramp that could provide guidance to arriving and departing airplanes.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:08 EST
Nearest AirportWillow Run Airport (1nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledUnknown
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBeech 58
Tail NumberN4108S
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-520-C-7 · Reciprocating · 285
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind300° @ 8 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 1700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point23 C / 19 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data