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 ↗.
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