Cessna 208 N989FX accident near Baltimore, Maryland

Probable cause

The ground service vehicle operator's failure to yield right of way to the airplane due to distraction, which necessitated the pilot's use of reverse thrust and braking to avoid a collision and resulted in the airplane's empennage striking the ground.

NTSB analysis

The airline transport pilot was taxiing the airplane to the parking ramp after a night flight. As he approached a point where the taxiway intersected a service road, a ground service vehicle crossed in front of the airplane. To avoid a collision, the pilot applied the brakes and used reverse thrust, which stopped the airplane about 3 ft from the vehicle. The rapid application of braking and reverse thrust resulted in the airplane rocking backward and the empennage striking the ground, substantially damaging the airframe. The operator of the ground service vehicle reported that he was distracted while he attempted to retrieve a security badge and did not see the airplane as it approached the intersection. State law required that ground vehicles always yield right of way to taxiing aircraft.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA15LA135 for the full record.