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February 24, 2010 · Bombardier BD-100-1A10 · N515FX

Wheeling, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 24, 2010
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Wheeling, IL
Aircraft
Bombardier BD-100-1A10
Tail Number
N515FX
Operator
Bombardier Flexjet
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN10LA142

According to the pilot, their executive jet airplane was undergoing deicing operations following their taxi to a run up pad near runway 34 and taxiway kilo, in preparation for departure. As the deicing truck was conducting the procedure, the vehicle's boom struck the airplane's empennage causing substantial damage. The fixed base operator’s [FBO] deicing/anti-icing training guidebook states that the driver should “always know where the boom and bucket are located.” There were supervisors on duty at the airport during the deicing operation; however, no supervisor was specifically overseeing the deicing operation. The FBO’s training guidebook did not require that a supervisor oversee deicing operations.

NTSB Probable Cause

The deicing vehicle operator's not adhering to company procedures and not maintaining clearance between the vehicle's boom and the airplane's empennage during the airplane's deicing operation.

Full Narrative

On February 24, 2010, about 1020 central standard time, a Bombardier Inc. BD-100-1A10, N515FX, piloted by two airline transport pilots, sustained substantial damage when a deicing vehicle impacted the airplane during deicing operations prior to an intended departure from the Chicago Executive Airport, near Wheeling, Illinois. Both pilots and both deicing ground crewmembers were uninjured. The fractional ownership flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, Subpart K. Marginal visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and an instrument flight rules flight plan was on file. The positioning flight was destined for the Chicago Midway International Airport, Chicago, Illinois. An airport maintenance person stated he saw a Signature de-ice truck hit the horizontal stab on the right hand side (as sitting in plane). The Signature de-ice truck boom hit the tail, not the operator cab (where the de-ice operator stands). He said he saw the nose of the plane move forward, then down, and "I figured that the plane was hit." The pilot then came out of the aircraft to inspect it with Signature personnel. According to the pilot’s accident report, the deicing operation took place following their taxi to a run up pad near runway 34 and taxiway kilo. The fixed base operator’s [FBO] deicing/anti-icing training guidebook, under Equipment Operation, states that the deicing vehicle driver should “always know where the boom and bucket are located.” There were supervisors at the airport during the deicing operation. There was no supervisor overseeing the deicing operation. The FBO’s training guidebook did not require that a supervisor oversee deicing operations.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 CST
Nearest AirportChicago Executive Airport (1nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBombardier BD-100-1A10
Tail NumberN515FX
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBombardier Flexjet
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeTurbofan
Engine DetailsHoneywell · AS907-1-1A · Turbofan · 6944 | Honeywell · AS907-1-1A · Turbofan · 6944
Seats10

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 58 · First Class · None
Crew 2Age 35 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 11 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 1600 ft
Temperature / Dew Point27 C / 19 C
Altimeter29.94 inHg
Observation Time15:44
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data