Landing Jet Struck Mower At RDG Last Weekend

It could have been a lot worse... though as it stands, there are many questions to be answered regarding the ground collision last weekend between a Cessna Citation jet and a mowing tractor at Reading Regional Airport (RDG) in Pennsylvania.

According to the Reading Eagle, the Citation II was rolling out after landing August 3 at the Allentown airport when its left wing impacted the tractor, which was reportedly crossing the runway at the towered field.

The resulting impact, which occurred at 3:30 pm local time, didn't hurt anyone, but it did result in a fuel spill. "He was most fortunate," NTSB investigator Daniel Bartlett said of the mower driver. "It was an amazing accident."

Though the incident did close the runway for several hours, the airport remained open, officials said.

Investigators add it could be months before the Board officially determines whether the tractor's driver or the Citation's pilot was to blame for the collision.

IDENTIFICATION
  Regis#: 827DP        Make/Model: C501      Description: 501 Citation 1SP
  Date: 08/03/2008     Time: 1918

  Event Type: Incident   Highest Injury: None     Mid Air: N    Missing: N
  Damage: Unknown

LOCATION
  City: READING   State: PA   Country: US

DESCRIPTION
  AIRCRAFT ON LANDING ROLLOUT, COLLIDED WITH A LAWN TRACTOR ON THE RUNWAY, NO
  INJURIES REPORTED, READING, PA

INJURY DATA      Total Fatal:   0
                 # Crew:   1     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Pass:   0     Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   
                 # Grnd:         Fat:   0     Ser:   0     Min:   0     Unk:   

WEATHER: NOT REPORTED

OTHER DATA
  Activity: Unknown      Phase: Landing      Operation: OTHER

  FAA FSDO: ALLENTOWN, PA  (EA05)                 Entry date: 08/04/2008

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.readingairport.org/