NTSB Factual Report

On April 8, 2010, about 1845 Pacific daylight time, a Grumman American Avn. Corp. G-1159, N706TJ, collided with a fuel truck while taxiing to the active runway at Boeing Field/King County International Airport (BFI), Seattle, Washington. Jetstar Air, Inc., operated the airplane under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal transportation flight. The airline transport rated pilots, a cabin attendant, and three passengers were not injured; the fuel truck driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The airplane's left wing was structurally damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that was destined for the Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, California. An instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported that after clearing U.S. customs and refueling the airplane he requested and received permission to taxi from the main terminal to runway 13R. He proceeded to taxiway “A” to prepare for takeoff; however, he overshot the turn. Personnel at the air traffic control tower then cleared him to perform a turn around, and the pilot initiated a right 270-degree turn. As the airplane nose crossed the taxiway centerline he made a shallow left turn into the run-up area. The pilot stated that he lost sight of the moving fuel truck and shortly thereafter, the left wing tip impacted the front of the fuel truck.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain adequate clearance/distance from the fuel truck during taxi.