20080130013219A

(-23) On 01/30/08 an airnet, Learjet 35A, N55F operating usc 141 landed runway 23 at clt at 5:10Z turned off at A4 and was cleared to taxi to the wilson air ramp via a-r-d. the PIC completed the after landing and clearing checklist. The SIC was taxiing the aircraft in a north easterly direction on taxiway a between A4 and A6 when a tug/baggage cart crossed in front of the aircraft at A5. The SIC and the PIC both applied brakes but were unable to stop the aircraft prior to impacting the tug/baggage cart. The aircraft was traveling at a speed of 20 knots. The impact of the collision displaced the aircraft approximately 45 to 70 degrees to the right of the centerline of the taxiway. The tug/baggage cart stopped approximately 150 feet from the aircraft and 30 degrees to the right of the vehicle crossover coming to rest in the grass in a south easterly direction. At the A5 crossover there is a stop sign. In addition there is a light system installed to alert of an approaching aircraft. An eyewitness stated that the tug/baggage cart did not stop or slow down, it went through the intersection and collided with the aircraft. The driver of the tug indicated that he did stop and that the lights did not work. Airport operations and an eyewitness verified that the light at the stop sign was operational. The taxiing pilot stated that when he first spotted the tug/baggage cart it was traveling at a high rate of speed and that he only had time to apply brakes and brace prior to impact.