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.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10LA142 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 24, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wheeling, Illinois
- Nearest airport
- Chicago Executive Airport (PWK)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Bombardier Inc BD-100-1A10
- N-number
- N515FX
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- 091K
- Purpose of flight
- Positioning
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.