We recently had a "mystery" crash at our warehouse complex, nobody knew or
reported what had happened. We've got many many "guard" posts planted next
to doorways, corners of buildings, and power poles. They are simply there
to protect the object they are placed near, something like the little posts
that you see at some shopping centers in front of the doors.

But our guard poles are not small. Most are 8" diameter steel well casing
about 8 ft tall with another 6 ft buried in the ground and anchored by a
couple yards of concrete. The pipes themselves are also filled with
concrete. About 2 weeks ago we came to work finding one of these leaning at
a very interesting angle.

It was obvious what had happened although nobody reported it. A semi driver
drove his rig around the post, cutting the corner too close to the post and
the side of his trailer impacted the post midway down the length of the
trailer. But instead of simply backing up before causing extensive damage
he continued to drive forward!

The side of the trailer actually "rode up" onto the side of the post and
left rubber tire residue on the post 5 ft above the pavement.

It took about a week to find out what had happened. The trucking company's
insurance adjuster called. It happened to be a local company. They must
have been too embarrassed to call. Damage to semi trailer over $5000....
damage to post $0... we just had to stand it back up and pour more cement
around the base.

Jim

"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
ups.com...
On the bright side, at least your aircraft wasn't in there. That could
have been a real problem.

Good point. Another good thing: The guy hit opposite our kitchen area,
which (in winter) is where our Mustang convertible gets parked. THAT
would have sucked, too.

And I'm glad it's not spring, or we'd be looking at a terrible bird
problem, thanks to the big hole. We spent a zillion hours filling ever
nook and cranny with expandable foam, and have kept our hangar entirely
bird-proof for four years now. I'd hate to start over.

But, still, it's ridiculous. I mean, how in hell do you back a semi
into a BUILDING? I mean, it's a BIG building, with 16 T-hangars.
It's not like it jumped out in front of the guy.

I drove trucks for five years in high school/college, (admittedly not
semi trucks), and was always amazed at the number of backing accidents.
All ya gotta do is LOOK, for criminies sake...

...mumble-grumble-stupid-idiots...

:-(
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"