Taxiways and Snowbanks
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Taxiways and Snowbanks
Since it's rapidly becoming that time of year, here's a question I'm looking for a reference for:
You are taxiing down a taxiway at a controlled, major airport. There was a heavy snowstorm the previous day and plowing has been going on continuously. You are on the centerline of the taxiway and hit a snowbank with your wingtip and your wingtip gets ripped off. There are no taxiway restrictions or Notams in play at all. Who's at fault and where does it specify it?
You are taxiing down a taxiway at a controlled, major airport. There was a heavy snowstorm the previous day and plowing has been going on continuously. You are on the centerline of the taxiway and hit a snowbank with your wingtip and your wingtip gets ripped off. There are no taxiway restrictions or Notams in play at all. Who's at fault and where does it specify it?
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Re: Taxiways and Snowbanks
I've wondered that for a while. At the airports I fly to, it's more likely to be the props hitting the wind rows. A notam will say "rwy xx/yy snow bank 5 ft inside east and west runway edges", then no mention of the taxiways at all. There's been a couple times where I was nearly stuck on the runway because the taxiways were just barely wide enough. I'm talking inches, where you taxi 0.1kts and all the while consider just shutting down.
I consider more the moral solution and personally not wanting to damage the aircraft. I could also see some dark snowy night where you simply don't see the snow bank, or depth perception is off and it looks okay.
I consider more the moral solution and personally not wanting to damage the aircraft. I could also see some dark snowy night where you simply don't see the snow bank, or depth perception is off and it looks okay.
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Re: Taxiways and Snowbanks
I think there is an advisory circular or something like that stating what slope from runways and taxi ways must be kept clear. I think it depends on the length of runway determines some of this criteria. I would imagine that if you run into something with your wing, you are probably responsible for your own damage, but that’s why we have lawsuits I guess...
Re: Taxiways and Snowbanks
The PIC....but I don't know where to find the info.