Skip to content

CEN11CA343

2011-05-13 · Greenfield, Indiana, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport MQJ

Current FAA registration · N10143

Make / Model
MOONEY M20J
Year of manufacture
1981 · 30 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING I0360 SER A&C (200 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19940908
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A00B6B

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a communications cart while taxiing.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the ramp after landing when he heard ground controllers instruct another aircraft to hold short to allow his airplane to pass. The pilot stated that he moved to the right for more clearance between the other aircraft and his. The right wingtip of the airplane struck a remote communications cart that was placed at the edge of the taxiway. The remote communications cart was being used by the United States Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team who were performing at an airshow at the airport. The accident airplane suffered substantial damage to the right wing. The outboard 2 to 3 feet of the leading edge of the right wing was crushed rearward causing damage to the wing skin, ribs, and spar. After the accident, the remote communications cart was moved farther from the edge of the of the taxiway. The pilot reported that he was taxiing to the ramp after landing when he heard ground controllers instruct another airplane to hold short to allow his airplane to pass. The pilot stated that he moved to the right for more clearance between the other airplane and his. The right wingtip of the airplane struck a remote communications cart that was placed at the edge of the taxiway. The accident airplane suffered substantial damage to the right wing. The outboard 2 to 3 feet of the leading edge of the right wing was crushed rearward causing damage to the wing skin, ribs, and spar. After the accident, the remote communications cart was moved farther from the edge of the taxiway. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft handling/service-Towing and taxiing-Taxiing-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2011_CEN11CA343.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.